Prognosis
Virus Surge in Japan Risks Undoing Abe’s Efforts to Woo China
- Japan has avoided complete ban on visitors from China
- Stance contrasts with U.S. criticism of China and travel bar
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Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has so far managed to keep the coronavirus outbreak from damaging his hard-won relationship with China. That’s getting even more difficult with each new case confirmed in Japan.
Abe has taken a softer approach to China over the virus than the Trump administration, winning Tokyo praise in Beijing. That chimes with his efforts to nurse Japan’s relationship with its giant neighbor and biggest trading partner back to health since he took office in 2012 amid the worst crisis in decades.