I don’t understand why it wouldn’t play out as WAY more China, than Japan. China is the next door neighbor, for goodness’ sake.
IMHO it is because China has been playing them for the fool. Using them to be a thorn in our side. Today Abe made the abductees front and center at the WH. He is offering Un an olive branch. Their people are for some part well educated. They are a future workforce that Japan aging as it is can rely on if they mortgage them a bit.