Tokyo, Jan. 21 (Jiji Press)–Defense Minister Taro Kono mentioned the need on Tuesday to pour more effort into the defense of Japan’s southwestern remote islands if the activity of Chinese government ships around there continues increasing.

Kono made the remark at a press conference, in an apparent warning to China over the growing activity of Chinese ships near the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands.

Over the tensions around the East China Sea islands, as well as the situation in Hong Kong, there is opposition from within Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned state visit to Japan in spring.