[justa-hairyape]

That may be the case, but why in the world did Japanese planners allow nuke plants to be built within tsunami reach?

You have access to very cheap cooling. The Pacific Ocean. The Californian Nuclear Plants that I have seen were both located along the Pacific coastline.

[catnipman]

“You have access to very cheap cooling. The Pacific Ocean. The Californian Nuclear Plants that I have seen were both located along the Pacific coastline. “

Well no doubt. But Japan has a several thousand year history of earthquakes and tsunamis. Guess cheap cooling was more important than history and prudence.