The problem with Japan’s bid to strengthen energy security, supply chains

What is in effect Japan’s version of the Belt and Road Initiative is being rolled out at an accelerating pace. But unlike China’s global infrastructure initiative, which mainly takes the form of highways, railways and sea lanes, Japan’s project is all about energy networks and supply chains.It poses a further challenge to America’s waning economic and strategic influence in Asia, the world’s most populous, resource-rich and potentially powerful region. What is more, it is a cooperative venture with the World Bank, which lends multilateral credibility.Japan’s project does not have a snappy title. Instead, its twin initiatives labour under the ponderous names of the Resilient and Inclusive Supply-chain Enhancement Plus (Rise+) and the Dynamic Response for Invigorating Value Chains and energy security (Drive).