Asia Keeps Close Eye on Japan's Nuclear Problems - Wall Street Journal

BY PATRICK BARTA IN BANGKOK AND BRIAN SPEGELE IN BEIJING

Problems at nuclear power plants in Japan over the weekend are being watched closely across Asia, where governments are contemplating dozens of new nuclear reactors despite opposition from environmental groups that have long argued the facilities are unsafe in a region prone to natural disasters.

China, Vietnam, Thailand and other Asian nations have more than 100 nuclear plants on the drawing boards as part of a regionwide effort to diversify energy sources beyond their traditional reliance on oil, natural gas and coal. The plants are viewed as a critical part of Asia's scramble to keep up with demand as energy ...