Japan to cut US bases cash

Japan is likely to cut contributions to maintaining US armed forces on its soil from next year, Asahi newspaper said. It would be the first reduction since Japan started paying part of the costs of running US military bases in 1978. The Defence Agency has made no formal decision, although it is considering a reduction, the Foreign Ministry said. This year Japan will pay 273.7bn yen (pounds 1.4bn) towards the cost of keeping US troops in Japan. The contribution covers salaries for civilian employees, maintaining facilities and water and electricity.

AP -Tokyo