Japan creates body to help other nations in nuclear power generation+

TOKYO, June 18 Kyodo -
Japan's industry ministry said Thursday it has formed a body to assist other
countries' nuclear power projects, given that Asian and Middle Eastern nations
are turning to nuclear power generation to fight global warming and meet the
needs of their growing economies.

The new entity, called the International Nuclear Energy Cooperation Council,
covers power utilities, nuclear power plant makers and research organizations
as it seeks to support the makers' overseas expansion, said the Ministry of
Economy, Trade and Industry.
The council will train people from other countries who will take charge of
designing and operating nuclear power stations. It will also help other
countries develop infrastructure for safe operation of nuclear power plants.
Among emerging Asian nations, China has been rapidly expanding nuclear power
generation. It is already operating 11 nuclear power plants and building 13
others. Its nuclear power generation capacity is expected to expand eight-fold
from 9 million kilowatts at present to 70 million kilowatts in 2020.
==Kyodo