Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera indicated Sunday that Tokyo won't change its stance on urging Japanese airlines not to submit their flight plans as requested by China for its new air defense identification zone over the East China Sea, labeling the demand a "one-sided action" by Beijing that deviates from international rules.
U.S. media have reported that Washington, in an apparent partial about-face, has urged U.S. airlines to submit their flight plans to avoid any unintended confrontation, while stressing that the U.S. has not accepted the ADIZ and that it will not avoid sending military aircraft into the area.
Interest has been keen on whether Japan will follow Washington's lead.