Tokyo would probably be treaty-bound to hand over Charles Robert Jenkins, an alleged U.S. Army deserter and husband of a Japanese repatriated abductee, to the United States if he comes to Japan and Washington demands his extradition, the top government spokesman said Tuesday.

"Experts give various interpretations of laws, but the possibility is high that (Tokyo) would have to hand him over" to the U.S., Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda told a news conference.

He said Japan will try to persuade the U.S. to not seek his extradition.