The time is ripe to introduce nuclear power plants in Asia

While the ambitious growth in nuclear power generation is expected in China and India, a number of countries in East and South Asia such as Vietnam and Indonesia are planning to construct new nuclear power plants to meet their increasing demands for electricity. In this feature article, eight experts described the state of introduction of nuclear power plants in such countries. These were titled as 'Trends of Deployment of Nuclear Energy in Asia-FNCA Ministerial Level Meeting', 'Vietnam- National Assembly Approval of Pre-feasibility Study and its Implementation', 'Present State of Nuclear Power Introduction in Indonesia-Awaiting the Decision of the President-', 'Present Status of Volcanic Hazard Assessment for Nuclear Facilities and Case of Bataan Nuclear Power Plant in Philippines', 'State of Nuclear Power Introduction in Thailand', 'Slow Start of Nuclear Power Introduction in Malaysia', 'Nuclear Energy Development in China in the View of Asian Market' and 'Is the Rollback in the Asian Market of Japan Group Possible?' It is highly expected Japan's high level of technology and safety with nuclear power generation would lead to promote international activities and cooperation of Japan group in the Asian Market. (T. Tanaka)