The Japanese energy company, *JACO, holds the rights to leases covering ca. 46,000 hectares in the Athabaska tar sands of Alberta. The prospects are estimated to contain 1.7 billion barrels of recoveerable bitumen resource.
At present, they operate a demonstration plant in the area, and are seeking hires. "a wide range of employment opportunities."
*Japan Canada Oil Sands Limited.
Nippon Oil Exploration holds a 5% stake in Syncrude Canada
JAPEX Co., 34% owned by the Japanese government, is expanding its portfolio.
JOGMEC, another Japanese company with rare earth interests as well as petroleum, has signed with Saudi Aramco for a stockpiling base in Okinawa, and is involved in fields in Iraq, Indonesia and Vietnam, as well as financing INPEX in the Gulf of Mexico.

Nuclear plant construction is on hold, but most observers expect new construction in a year or two.