California avoids building nuclear plants near quake zones. Why didn't the Japanese have common sense?

The Japanese have common sense,ability and knowledge,that is why they are dealing with this with the utmost integrity.Their plants are years ahead of ours.If this happened in California, our government and engineers would be running around like chickens with their head cut off trying to figure out what to do while the melt down is in processes. I have faith in the Japanese,they will prevail,if they fail,it will not be because of their ignorance.