China and Russia account for 70% of new nuclear plants

Exports used as diplomatic card while Western nations fall behind

20230609N Karachi nuclear plant

China installed its Hualong One reactor at the Karachi nuclear power plant as part of a plan to extend influence in Pakistan. (Photo from China National Nuclear Corporation social media)

NAOYUKI TOYAMA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Russia and China are building up an outsized presence in the field of nuclear power, with the countries accounting for nearly 70% of reactors under construction or in planning worldwide.

Meanwhile, construction plans in Japan, the U.S. and Europe were largely put on hold after the 2011 disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, resulting in a stagnation of related industries in those countries.

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