Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's announcement last week that he was stepping down from office has triggered not just a succession race but also left questions about the future direction of Japan's foreign policy.

The uncertainty is understandable, given that Mr Abe is leaving on a high note on the international front even if he is under a cloud at home over his government's poor response to the coronavirus crisis and crony corruption scandals. Notably, he is lauded in Asia for having played a central role in salvaging a multilateral free trade agreement after it was ditched by Washington.