Will Japan’s new leader bring more pressure to relations with China?

Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation adds uncertainty to ties, but analysts expect Tokyo will continue to view Beijing as a strategic competitor

“Now is the time for me to resign as the negotiations on US tariffs have come to an end,” Ishiba said on Sunday, citing a trade deal reached with the United States on Thursday that cuts tariffs on Japanese car imports from 27.5 to 15 per cent.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian declined to comment on the resignation on Monday, calling it “a matter of Japan’s internal affairs”.

Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba steps down

Whoever takes over from Ishiba will have to navigate the rocky China-Japan relationship, and analysts expect Tokyo will continue to see Beijing as a strategic competitor.