The Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on the Japan-China Economic Relations

The article assesses the impact of the first year of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic on the state of economic relations between the two leaders of East Asia – China and Japan. The author points out the problems that affected economic indicators of the two countries, compares the consequences of the pandemic for their economies and analyzes the dynamics of bilateral economic cooperation. The analysis of statistical data and recent publications suggests that thanks to the close bilateral ties that had developed by the beginning of the pandemic, the main areas of Sino-Japanese cooperation have demonstrated surprising resilience. Moreover, due to the global nature of the problems that have arisen and rapid economic recovery of the PRC, China is becoming a territory of relative stability for Japanese entrepreneurs and even a locomotive for the recovery of Japanese economy. In conclusion, the author notes that the pandemic is not over yet and the state of international economic relations in the new reality requires further monitoring