TOKYO: Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono has asked the US government to improve operations under its pay-first scheme to provide defense equipment to Japan and other allies.

Kono made the request at a meeting with Lt. Gen. Charles Hooper, visiting director of the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, on Tuesday.

Hooper vowed to make efforts to resolve Japanese concerns over the US Foreign Military Sales program, according to Japanese officials.

Problems with the FMS program, including delays in the delivery of purchased goods and reimbursement of overpaid amounts, were pointed out by the Board of Audit of Japan last year.

The audit board urged the Defense Ministry to press the US side to facilitate shipments and settle deals promptly.

On the matter, Hooper is slated to have talks with Hirofumi Takeda, head of the Japanese ministry's Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency, on Wednesday.

JIJI Press