U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage is expected to visit Tokyo on Feb. 2 and Feb. 3 for "strategic dialogue" with Vice Foreign Minister Yukio Takeuchi.
The dialogue will focus on Iraq and North Korea, according to diplomatic sources.
During the two-day talks, Japan and the United States are expected to reaffirm their cooperation on the reconstruction of Iraq and on policies toward North Korea, the sources said.
Armitage effectively oversees policies toward Japan within the administration of President George W. Bush.
The timing of his visit implies that the talks will be based on the assumption that Japan is going ahead with plans to send the main Ground Self-Defense Force troop contingent to Iraq, the sources said.