China, US and South Korea grapple with a post-Abe Japan

Xi and Moon hope for less hawkish successor, while Trump hails outgoing leader

Xi Trump Moon Japan Flag Nikkei Montage 20200903

What does Shinzo Abe's resignation mean for Chinese President Xi Jinping, U.S. President Donald Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in? (Nikkei montage/Reuters)

YOSUKE ONCHI, Nikkei staff writer

September 3, 2020 03:10 JST

TOKYO -- With Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stepping down, Japan's neighbors and partners are faced with the question of who comes next and how much of Abe's foreign policy his successor will retain.

On Friday, the same day Abe announced his resignation, China's state-run Xinhua News Agency published an article arguing that former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba was a top contender to become the next prime minister, citing his strong showing in opinion polls.