Japan’s energy hunt runs into China’s lead in Central Asia, Latin America

Energy

Tokyo scours globe for new oil and gas sources but has few leads beyond the US

Japan has moved recently to release crude oil from its national petroleum reserves. (Photo by Mizuho Miyazaki)

TOKYO — As Japan steps up its energy diplomacy to secure alternatives to Middle Eastern oil and gas, Tokyo is finding that China has a head start in Central Asia and Latin America.