ISTANBUL

Japan on Wednesday deployed its fleet of Osprey transport aircraft on its southwestern island of Kyushu, close to Taiwan, amid China's “increasing military ambitions,” Kyodo News reported.

The first V-22 Osprey arrived at the newly established base Camp Saga, transferred from Camp Kisarazu in the Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba noted the importance of the Osprey fleet presence in the city of Saga in a campaign speech ahead of the July 20 upper house elections.

"Japan's safety and readiness for disaster relief will be much more enhanced," Ishiba said on Wednesday.

The transfer of the aircraft reflects Tokyo's aims to increase its defensive capabilities in the southwestern Nansei island chain, a strategic location due to its close proximity to Taiwan, an island China calls its breakaway province.

The country aims to transfer its remaining 16 Ospreys Chiba to Saga by mid-August.

Responding to the news, protestors gathered in front of the new Osprey base, carrying banners and signs to call for the Ospreys’ complete removal, citing safety concerns.

Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Keiichiro Tachibana said that Japan will "seriously listen to the locals' voices and provide detailed explanation, including safety information."

The development came after eight people aboard a CV-22 transport aircraft died after it crashed during a routine exercise last November off the coast of Yakushima Island in southwestern Japan.​​​​​​​

Since 1991, 63 incidents have been reported to have taken place involving Osprey variants. A total of 16 V-22 Ospreys have been damaged beyond repair in accidents that have killed 62 people.