Japan and the United States remain divided over plans to realign the U.S. military forces in Japan, according to Japanese government sources.

The deadlock over the role of U.S. forces stationed in Japan -- most densely in Okinawa Prefecture -- could significantly affect the Japan-U.S. security arrangement, the sources suggested.

In working-level talks between the two countries' foreign affairs and defense officials, the U.S. is sounding Japan out, offering ideas in bits and pieces on an informal basis, a Defense Agency source said.