Tokyo ? The U.S. plans to deploy advanced Patriot interceptor missiles in Japan by the end of the year, a Japanese newspaper reported Monday, amid concerns that North Korea may be about to test-fire a long-range ballistic missile.

The U.S. government notified Tokyo earlier this month that it will deploy Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles – designed to intercept ballistic missiles, cruise missiles or aircraft – on its own bases in Japan for the first time, Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported.

The U.S. military would deploy three or four batteries of the surface-to-air missiles on the southern island of Okinawa, where it also plans to send an additional 500 to 600 troops, Yomiuri said, quoting an unidentified government officials.

Tokyo is expected to accept the plan, which was proposed by U.S. officials during a June 17 meeting in Hawaii.

The two countries signed an agreement in 2005 allowing Japan to produce PAC-3 missiles for deployment during fiscal 2006 at Japanese bases. But the deployment plans for Okinawa are apparently separate.

Recent intelligence reports indicate North Korea may be preparing to test-fire a Taepodong-2 missile within days and is fueling the missile at a launch site on the country’s northeastern coast.