Japan's defense ministry has marked the opening of a Ground Self-Defense Force camp on the southern island of Ishigaki in Okinawa Prefecture.

The new camp was set up on March 16 as part of efforts to strengthen the defense of the country's southwestern islands.

At a ceremony held on Sunday, Defense Minister Hamada Yasukazu said that the defense system of the Nansei Islands, including Ishigaki Island, rests on the shoulders of the personnel.

Camp Ishigaki's commander, Colonel Inoue Yuichiro, said the GSDF will continue to work for stronger ties with local residents and play a key role as a deterrent to protect the island and its people.

Ishigaki Mayor Nakayama Yoshitaka expressed hope that the camp will help prevent an emergency from occurring and protect people's lives.

Equipment such as a surface-to-ship missile launcher was on display at the event.

Some residents of the island worry that standoff missiles which could be used for counterstrikes may be deployed at the camp. Hamada said after the ceremony that the government has yet to decide where to deploy such missiles. He added that he cannot say anything at this stage, but his ministry will work to ease people's concerns.

About 30 people gathered outside the camp for a protest rally. They held up banners and placards with messages opposing a missile base, and calling for diplomacy to avoid war.

Two co-heads of a civic group handed a letter of protest to the camp's commander.