The fear of radiation leaks from Japan's damaged nuclear power stations has not only sparked food bans across the globe but also a buying frenzy from South Korean mothers who fear their favorite Japanesemade diapers may suddenly become unavailable.

Cho Myungjin, who organizes online groupbuying drives for Japanese diapers, saw her website collapse Tuesday as too many panicked South Koreans logged on to chase up supplies of brands that they believe are better quality than locally made products.

"The reaction was scary. Some mothers did not go to work to reserve diapers," the 31yearold mother told Reuters.

According to Auction Corp, the secondlargest online shopping website in South Korea, sales of Japanese diapers have doubled since the quake.

After her website collapsed, Cho opened a new message board selling 300 packs of diapers, limiting sales to just one pack per person, but still received 2,000 offers in a minute.

She said the price of Japanese diapers available online has nearly doubled to 150,000 won ($134) a package.

"I feel sorry that they sold out, upsetting parents who had waited for days," said Cho, whose 22monthold infant uses the Japanese product.

Reuters