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TOKYO—Japan's lower house unanimously passed a resolution condemning China's new air-defense zone Friday, the first official action by the nation's legislators on the issue.
Beijing established the zone on Nov. 23 above islands in the East China Sea that China, Japan and Taiwan claim.
Beijing established the zone on Nov. 23 above islands in the East China Sea that China, Japan and Taiwan claim.
China has said that foreign aircraft entering the Air Defense Identification Zone must notify Beijing of their flight plans beforehand.
Security experts say the development could increase the likelihood of a clash between Japan and China, and potentially force U.S. involvement.
China's decision and Japan's response are the latest developments in a territorial squabble that has chilled relations between the two countries in recent years.
While the resolution's title directly called for the zone's abolishment, the text of the resolution called for Japan's neighbor to "immediately remove all measures that limit the freedom of flight over international waters."
The resolution said the creation of the zone "raised tensions in the East China Sea more than ever and by extension is a dangerous action that risks threatening the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region."
It also characterized the zone as an infringement of Japan's territorial sovereignty.
In response to the passage of the resolution, China's foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said: "Japan has no right to make irresponsible statements like that and China is firmly opposed to it. Japan should stop these erroneous actions, and stop its meddling and provocation."
The spokesman also said the establishment of the zone was legal.
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden condemned China's actions earlier in the week during his visit to Tokyo.
"We in the U.S. are deeply concerned by the attempt to unilaterally change the status quo in the East China Sea," he said.
Tensions over the Senkaku islands have been elevated since last year, following Japan's decision to nationalize some of the islands, a decision that prompted demonstrations in China and a boycott of Japanese products.
Security experts say the development could increase the likelihood of a clash between Japan and China, and potentially force U.S. involvement.
China's decision and Japan's response are the latest developments in a territorial squabble that has chilled relations between the two countries in recent years.
While the resolution's title directly called for the zone's abolishment, the text of the resolution called for Japan's neighbor to "immediately remove all measures that limit the freedom of flight over international waters."
The resolution said the creation of the zone "raised tensions in the East China Sea more than ever and by extension is a dangerous action that risks threatening the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region."
It also characterized the zone as an infringement of Japan's territorial sovereignty.
In response to the passage of the resolution, China's foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said: "Japan has no right to make irresponsible statements like that and China is firmly opposed to it. Japan should stop these erroneous actions, and stop its meddling and provocation."
The spokesman also said the establishment of the zone was legal.
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden condemned China's actions earlier in the week during his visit to Tokyo.
"We in the U.S. are deeply concerned by the attempt to unilaterally change the status quo in the East China Sea," he said.
Tensions over the Senkaku islands have been elevated since last year, following Japan's decision to nationalize some of the islands, a decision that prompted demonstrations in China and a boycott of Japanese products.
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