So a huge earthquake and a massive tsunami devastate northern Japan in March, and the effects are felt two months later in . . . Germany? Central Europe is not usually the site of major tectonic movements, but that didn't stop Germany's center-right government from opting on Monday to decommission every nuclear power plant in the country 14 years ahead of schedule.

Chancellor Angela Merkel's plan would shutter all nuclear plants by 2022—a reversal from her previous support...