Talks between Tokyo and Washington on the former's host-nation support for US forces stationed in Japan are expected to start around the beginning of autumn this year, Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono said Tuesday.

"The current burden ratio is very appropriate," Kono said, signaling caution over expectations that the United States will call on Japan to shoulder greater financial burdens for hosting US forces than under the current relevant bilateral pact, which is set to expire in March next year.

With the Japan-US security treaty including a provision for Japan to offer bases for the US military, Japan has supported the United States' "forward deployment capability" and contributed to "regional peace and stability," Kono said at a press conference.

"Not only issues related to money but many other topics should be taken up," he said, suggesting that general defense cooperation between the two countries will also be discussed at the upcoming bilateral negotiations.

On Sunday, Kono called the Japan-US security treaty "priceless," at a ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of the signing of the pact. This triggered concerns among some Japanese government officials that the US side may urge Japan to increase its host-nation support if Tokyo says the treaty is priceless.

At Tuesday's press conference, Kono explained that he "meant to say the treaty is irreplaceable in financial terms for the world including the United States."

JIJI Press