So it is feared that Mr Abe, a hardliner by instinct, will try to distract voters from a dismal domestic record by gratuitous nationalistic provocation of China, and South and North Korea.

• 因此，外界担心天性强硬的安倍会无故地以民族主义来挑衅中国、韩国和朝鲜，以试图转移选民对国内低迷经济的注意力。