All national papers reported over the weekend on WTO Director-General Azevêdo’s abrupt announcement on Thursday that he will resign in late August, noting that he chose to step down as the organization’s mandate has been undermined significantly following the prolonged trade friction between the U.S. and China. Noting that many WTO members have been tempted to restrict exports of food and medical equipment amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Sankei said Japan’s initiative of reforming the WTO to ensure a global free trade system may suffer a setback due to the imminent departure of the world’s top trade official.