Japan's chief cabinet secretary says the government plans to consider upgrading an airport and ports in the island town of Yonaguni, Okinawa Prefecture, with a possible contingency in Taiwan in mind.

Matsuno Hirokazu has been visiting the southwestern island region since Saturday.

The government is studying how to protect people on the Nansei Islands in the event of such a contingency or other emergencies.

On Sunday, Matsuno visited Yonaguni Town and inspected the island's key port of Sonai. The town is the closest part of Japan to Taiwan.

Ahead of the visit, he met Yonaguni Mayor Itokazu Kenichi.

Itokazu asked Matsuno to help improve the local airport and build a new port so that residents can quickly flee the island in the event of an emergency. The mayor also called for assistance in setting up shelters for islanders.

Matsuno said the importance of protecting the people is growing as the security environment surrounding Japan is becoming complicated.

He added that the government wants to work closely with the local community to proceed with its plan, as evacuating residents from the remote island is a challenge.