Japan and the United States have decided to put off seeking a conclusion on Japan's share of the cost of stationing US forces in the country before the end of the year.
The two sides began working-level talks on the matter last month as the current arrangement, which is agreed upon every five years, is set to expire in March.
Dozens of people have been evacuated in Japan's northern prefecture of Hokkaido after two wild bears were spotted near a ski slope. No one was injured.
Police say skiers on a lift noticed the bears in a forest near the peak of the Bibai Kokusetsu ski resort in Bibai City on Sunday morning.
Japan and the United States have formally started working-level talks on Japan's share of the cost of stationing US forces in the country. The two sides have agreed to seek an early conclusion to the matter.
Foreign and defense officials from the two countries met in Washington on Monday and Tuesday. They also met in October.
The commander of US forces in Japan has directed incoming personnel to take a coronavirus test before leaving a mandatory 14-day period of restricted movement upon arrival in the country.
The commander made the announcement on Friday, when it was confirmed that there have been 189 infections across US military facilities in Japan to date.
Honda will cut back production at two of its Japanese factories due to parts shortages from China because of the coronavirus outbreak.
A test event for the Tokyo Paralympics will be scaled down and held without spectators due to the coronavirus outbreak in Japan.
The Japanese Para-Sports Association says the boccia tournament will not be held as an international event.
Some Japanese government officials are concerned that Washington may pressure Tokyo to pay significantly more for stationing US forces in Japan.
Bilateral negotiations on the cost will likely shift into high gear as early as this summer, with the current five-year agreement on the costs of supporting US forces due to expire in March 2021.