Japan and the United States have agreed in principle to relocate some training of a Ground Self-Defense Force unit to the U.S. Marine Corps' Camp Hansen in Okinawa Prefecture in the hope of improving the interoperability of the two militaries and leading to a future reduction in U.S. bases, informed sources said.
The two sides are also considering permanently stationing some of the GSDF's 1st Combined Brigade members at the U.S. camp. The plan will be included in an interim report on the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan that the two sides hope to complete by the end of October, the sources said.
The move is believed to be aimed at strengthening cooperation between the Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military, improving GSDF capabilities and reducing U.S. bases in Japan through joint use of the facilities.