TOKYO: Japan launched an organisation on Thursday to help other countries promote nuclear power generation which is increasingly in demand in the age of global warming, officials said.

The new body, the International Nuclear Energy Cooperation Council, comprises representatives from government branches, power utilities, nuclear power plant makers and research organisations, they said.

It will help the makers' overseas expansion while there are requests from Asian and Middle East countries for Japan's help in the field, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

"Nuclear power plants have been revalued from the viewpoints of ensuring energy sources and dealing with global warming," Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Toshihiro Nikai told an inaugural meeting of the council.

"Japan has a long track record in safe operation of nuclear power plants and it has become a model for peaceful use of nuclear power," he said.

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 the safe operation of nuclear power plants.

About 30 countries, including Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates, are planning to develop nuclear power, public broadcaster NHK reported. - AFP/de