Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru has told Ground Self-Defense Force members stationed on a remote island to do their best to defend the southwestern region, with China's growing maritime activities in mind.

Kihara visited a GSDF camp on Ishigaki Island, Okinawa Prefecture, on Sunday. The camp opened in March to bolster the defense of the southwestern region that is made up of small islands.

Kihara told the personnel that as the security situation surrounding Japan is becoming complicated, the government has earmarked about 290 billion dollars to comprehensively bolster defense capabilities.

He said that implementing the budget comes with heavy responsibility, and urged the members to unite in carrying out their duties.

Kihara said boosting the defense of the southwestern region is an urgent task for Japan's national defense.

He said opening the camp shows Japan's stance of not allowing any unilateral change to the status quo by force, but everyday training is instrumental for building genuinely effective defense capabilities.

The minister added that SDF personnel are the core of the defense capabilities.

He also indicated that the ministry will implement measures to prevent harassment in the SDF and will try to improve pay and working conditions for the personnel.