Japanese Defense Agency Director General Shigeru Ishiba said Friday the local situation remains safe for the troops to stay on in Iraq despite growing attacks there.

"I do not have the impression and recognition that there has been any dramatic deterioration in the security situation in the Samawah region where our Self-Defense Forces (SDF) are carrying out activities," Ishiba told a news conference.

The remarks came after mass nationwide attacks Thursday in Iraq and as the campaign for upper house election is under way.

About 500 SDF ground troops are posted in Iraq's southern city of Samawah to help with humanitarian efforts. Tokyo has decided to participate in the multinational force after the handover of sovereignty in Iraq on June 30.

The opposition camp has been urging the government to scrap the plan and pull the troops out. Media polls also showed more than half of Japanese are opposed to the mission.

Under a law on the dispatch, the SDF can only carry out operations in noncombat regions and should refrain from using weapons except when they are under life-threatening attacks.

But continuing and spreading violence fueled concerns for the safety of SDF personnel and the chance to be involved in firefight.

In coordinated attacks Thursday, Iraqi insurgents killed more than 80 people across the nation.

The defense chief noted that Samawah is "the most stable and peaceful" area in Iraq.

Japan has said the SDF will be under Tokyo's command and solely engaged in humanitarian operations.