Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Friday confirmed with Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka and Defense Agency chief Gen Nakatani that Japan's basic position of "understanding" U.S. missile defense plans remains unchanged, government officials said.

The confirmation comes amid a furor sparked by reports that Tanaka had made comments inconsistent with the government's position in a series of bilateral talks.

"I stated my opinions on diplomacy and security, and the prime minister gave me advice," Tanaka told reporters after the meeting.