Japan and the United States agreed Thursday on a basic framework for discussing details of Japan's logistic support for the U.S.-led war on terrorism.

In high-level security discussions held at the Foreign Ministry, foreign and defense officials from both countries decided to set up a coordinating committee of bureau chiefs as well as working-level meetings of section heads. The coordinating committee will hold its first meeting in Tokyo today.

The results of these discussions will serve as the basis for the planned noncombat support from the Self-Defense Forces.

On Thursday, Japan's delegation explained new legislation that was passed earlier in the week. Under the new law, the SDF is ready to offer logistic support to U.S. forces in noncombat areas, including transporting supplies other than weapons and ammunition. The SDF is also expected to conduct search-and-rescue operations for military personnel, as well as offer humanitarian support for Afghan refugees in Pakistan, such as moving relief supplies.

The U.S. did not ask for any specific support from Japan in Thursday's talks, the officials said. Such details will be discussed at the working-level talks, they said.

"We will ask for the needs of the United States and offer Japan's support to match those needs," one official said.

The government is believed to be aiming to have the Cabinet approve a basic plan for SDF support on Nov. 13, before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan a few days later.

The U.S. delegation spelled out its current military operations in Afghanistan, saying it has established air supremacy in the country but was facing "the biggest challenge" in actually finding terrorists, according to the officials.

The U.S. missile defense plan and the Status of Forces Agreement were also discussed.

The U.S. stressed the importance of the missile shield to defend itself and its allies against missile attacks.

The two sides agreed to continue discussions on missile defense and on improving SOFA to enable a swift handover to Japanese authorities of U.S. military personnel suspected of committing crimes, the officials said.

The Japanese delegation was represented by Chikahito Harada, deputy director general of the Foreign Ministry's North American Affairs Bureau, and Kohei Masuda, deputy director general of the Defense Agency's Defense Policy Bureau.

The U.S. side included Christopher LaFleur, principal deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific affairs, and Peter Brooks, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Asia and Pacific affairs.