A Japanese daily says Japan is planning to station some of its self-defense forces on Tinian Island, one of the Northern Mariana Islands and a self-governing territory of the U.S.

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported Wednesday that the Japanese government is promoting a plan to lease part of the U.S. base on the island, which is eight kilometers from Saipan. Combined units of soldiers from Japan’s Ground, Air and Maritime Self-Defense Forces will take turns serving on Tinian.

The plan is viewed as a move to enhance Japan’s defense capabilities through joint military exercises with the U.S. in regions near the East China Sea, such as Okinawa and the Senkaku Islands.