-- Japan and the United States plan to create a new sub-Cabinet-level consultative framework to coordinate policy on regional and defense issues, diplomatic sources said Wednesday.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and U.S. President George W. Bush will likely reach an agreement on the proposed framework when they meet June 30 at Camp David, the sources said.
The consultative framework is meant to deepen coordination between the two countries on matters ranging from Bush's missile defense plans to regional issues involving North Korea and China, and reinforce the Japan-U.S. alliance, the sources said.
Deputy Vice Foreign Minister Ryozo Kato will lead the Japanese side and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage will lead the U.S. team, the sources said. They will hold consultations every two or three months, the sources said.