Tokyo has no gripe with Seoul's expanded ADIZ

Tokyo has accepted Seoul's expanded air defense identification zone in the East China Sea, Japanese officials said Monday, noting that unlike China's abruptly declared ADIZ, South Korea's won't infringe on the freedom of flight in airspace over the high seas under international law.

Part of South Korea's expanded ADIZ now overlaps Japan's in the East China Sea. But Tokyo has not complained to Seoul, apparently so Japan and South Korea can maintain united opposition to the ADIZ China declared last month in areas covering the contested Japanese-held Senkaku islets, as well as a reef under the South's control.

Unlike China's air zone, South Korea's zone does not cover airspace over territory or sea areas effectively controlled by Japan, and Seoul will not impose new obligations on Japanese airlines, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said.