Continuity or reset? China and South Korea face a post-Abe Japan

Beijing sees Ishiba as front runner while Seoul hopes to mend frayed ties

20200829 China South Korea adjustment

Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and South Korean President Moon Jae-in are both hoping to shore up ties with Japan's next leader. © Reuters

TSUKASA HADANO and YOSUKE ONCHI, Nikkei staff writers

BEIJING/SEOUL -- China and South Korea have started to seek ways to realign diplomatic relations with Japan following Shinzo Abe's abrupt decision to step down as prime minister.

Abe's announcement on Friday that he would resign sent shock waves through the diplomatic world. China's relationship with Japan has been historically fraught with tension, although ties had improved under Abe.

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