Home Decoupling denied: Japan Inc lays its bets on China Decoupling denied: Japan Inc lays its bets on China Trade rift between Beijing and Washington creates havoc and opportunity for Asia’s economic giants World Economy News 17 Feb 2021 • 11 min read In 1978, when Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping visited a factory belonging to what is now Panasonic in Osaka, he made chairman Konosuke Matsushita an offer he could not refuse. That year, China’s economy lay in ruins following the Cultural Revolution. But Deng had an idea. Turning to Matsushita, his guide on the tour, he said: “You are called the god of management. Will you help us modernise our economy?”