Ground Self-Defense Force units plan to join the U.S. Marine Corps in training involving MV-22 Osprey aircraft over Japan's main islands, Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said Thursday.

By having the Self-Defense Forces drill outside of Okinawa, Japanese and U.S. officials hope to persuade local governments and communities to accept the presence of the controversial tilt-rotor aircraft, whose safety has been questioned due to accidents overseas.

"We have told the U.S. side (about the planned joint drill), which is part of measures to reduce the burden on Okinawa," Onodera said at a news conference, referring to the prefecture's hosting of the bulk of U.S. bases in Japan.