Coronavirus: will surge in Japan infections derail Shinzo Abe’s efforts to woo China?

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has so far managed to keep the coronavirus outbreak from damaging his hard-won relationship with China. That is 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 neighbour and biggest trading partner back to health since he took office in 2012 amid the worst crisis in decades.

Unlike others including the US, Australia and Singapore, Abe’s government has avoided a blanket ban on visitors from its neighbour, instead restricting entry from just two provinces. While acting quickly to evacuate its citizens from the virus epicentre of Hubei, Japan also used the planes to fly in aid packages for China.

That is contrasted with Japan’s counterparts in the US, who have questioned China’s commitment to transparency during the crisis – leading to bickering between the two sides. China is also keen to keep ties strong with Abe amid a painful trade war with the US that has battered its economy.