Japan and China are considering compiling an action plan by the end of this year for full-fledged cooperation on nuclear power for civilian purposes, including preventing technology from being diverted to third parties, government sources in Tokyo said Monday.

The plan is aimed at paving the way for Japanese companies involved in nuclear power to do business in China, where reactor construction is expected to increase to meet mounting energy demands, the sources said.

It comes as a followup to an agreement in October between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Hu Jintao that the two countries enhance cooperation in energy.

Following a thaw in bilateral relations represented by the Abe-Hu summit, Tokyo hopes the plan will help assist Japanese businesses already engaged in the international competition for nuclear-related business in China, according to the sources.

Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi and Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo are expected to confirm a plan to begin bureau chief-level talks to accelerate the nuclear cooperation at their policy dialogue meeting Thursday and Friday in China, they said.

Japan wants the action plan to include measures for thorough export controls to prevent technologies from being diverted to third countries and for exchanges of engineers to help develop human resources in China, as well as safety guidelines and security measures.