The move of some 8,000 Marines and their families from Japan to Guam is a step closer, after Japan's House of Representatives approved a bilateral pact that obligates Japan to contribute 2.8 billion US dollars for the move.
The Stars and Stripes newspaper reports that the bill, supported by Japan's ruling parties, is expected to be rejected by the House of Councilors later this week, according to officials of Status of Forces Agreement Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
However, in such cases the lower house's decision overrides.
The bill is considered a treaty and is expected be enacted by May.
The pact on the Guam move was signed by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Japan Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone in February.
The move of the Marines to Guam is scheduled to be complete in 2014.
