New York Times this morning-
In Japan Reactor Failings, Danger Signs to the U. S.
"Emergency vents that American officials have said would prevent devastating hydrogen explosions at nuclear plants in the U. S. were put to the test in Japan- and failed to work....."
Venting was critical to relieving pressure inside reactors after the cooling systems were knocked out. "Without flowing water to cool the reactors' cores, they had begun to dangerously overheat. Tepco said they had upgraded to the new vent systems used in the U. S.

There was a delay of several hours before it was decided to vent- a bad bit of dithering- but when it was decided to vent, the system didn't work. There is evidence of design flaws and mechanical failure of the U. S. designed system (built by G. E.).
The venting system was operated by the same power supply that provided electricity to the rest of the plant. Backup generators are in the basement, thus subject to tsunami waves.

"Japan is going to teach us lessons, said David Lochbaum at the Union of Concerned Scientists."
The hydrogen blasts may have been responsible for breaches in containment vessels, complicating efforts to cool the rods.
High pressure within the reactors also repels efforts to pump in cooling water.
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Taipei says it is going ahead with construction of their fourth reactor. Taipei, like Japan, relies heavily on nuclear power.
Taipei lies on some of the same fault system that affects Japan, and severe quakes and tsunamis are an ever-present threat.
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