I think there is a love hate relationship.

The war was a long time ago.

Chinese younger people are heavily into Japanese culture. And a reliable car is a reliable car.

Sure they don’t like Japanese war memorials honoring war criminals and Japanese claims on remote islands and some will set some Japanese cars on fire if they think the government will let them to protest that. But they’ll happily watch a Japanese anime the week after.

However combustion engine cars are getting obsolete fast. A reliable car that is not allowed in cities and whom’s manufacturer might go broke in 2 years is not so interesting any longer.

Hybrids are the answer for Toyota. It still requires much maintenance and they can make combustion engines profitable.

It’s not an answer for the climate goals and for the consumers as EV’s are becoming ever cheaper.