A Marine Corps regiment in Okinawa will become a smaller but more mobile Marine Littoral Regiment to better accomplish its mission to defend the U.S. and its allies in the region.
The change is seen as a move to enhance deterrence and respond to an increasingly aggressive China.
Officials in Washington have informed Tokyo of their plans, which are expected to be in place by fiscal 2025 as part of the reorganization of Marine Corps units in Okinawa, according to Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper.
The change is expected to be on the agenda in Washington during Wednesday’s Japan-U.