It has been four years now since the 2011 disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which spewed radiation over a wide swath of northeastern Japan and forced 80,000 from their homes. Many of those people have no interest whatsoever in returning, despite their government’s massive decontamination efforts. The administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is doing what it can to restart Japan’s nuclear industry but faces much resistance.

President Obama’s Clean Power Plan contains elements that are also seen as encouraging the development of nuclear energy in the United States.

The plan, as is widely known, imposes strict, new carbon limits on electricity production that critics say will force states to close down coal-powered generators. It also requires states to boost the share of power generated within their borders from alternative sources such as wind, solar and, yes, nuclear.

The latest draft of the plan will allow states to take more credi