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True, there was never an expectation that a quake could hit to cause that kind of impact.

That almost plays into the 'we never planned for that' scenario. Will it ever be safe ?

It wont be ever save in japan. Just have a look at continental setup. Its cou try with biggest amount of earth quakes (statistic. Thats a fact.) on planet.

how you could an island that gets hit with quake/tsunami combo few times every hundred years couldn't have seen it coming

Well, some places catch fire every year, doesn't stop people trying to pretend that that's not normal.

But you don't plant a new forest where there was fire last year... Or you do? xD

IIRC, they did see it coming. There was a risk assessment that pointed out that having backup generators protected by a flood wall of the height it was was a bad idea if there was a tsunami wave taller than the flood wall. Sadly, it was considered not particularly likely, and a new wall would have been expensive, so nothing happened.

I think when you consider the risk of nuclear plants, it's worth taking into account the culture of the host nation. Japan, with its culture of institutional and individual corruption, is always a bit risky with dangerous industries, as demonstrated by its history of lethal industrial accidents.

I think Germany would be a little bit better, but it's hard to say for sure.

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