1.HISTORY OF CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES ABROAD

Japanese contractors acquired their technological knowledge and expertise in the construction field when, following the Meiji restoration, many foreign professors and technicians were invited to Japan to teach at the academic institutes. And a great number of students were sent abroad every year until the end of the 19th century to study western civilization and technology, for periods of 2-3 years-mainly to Europe, that is the U.K., Germany and France. This was the basic policy of the government which was eager to catch up with modern technology and western ways of thinking. These professors and engineers were employed by the government, made a great contributions to the development of science and technology in Japan, and were replaced by Japanese newly trained professionals who came back from overseas studies around the beginning of the 20th century. By this policy of the government, Japanese academic institutions were successful in providing human resources needed by the various industries. From what they learnt, Japanese contractors were, by themselves, able to build the entire infrastructure, including dams, roads, railways, bridges, tunnels, ports and buildings. As a result, Japanese construction contractors now have enough technology to implement almost any kind of project by themselves. At the same time, to cope with the progress of science and technology, and to compete with other international contractors they are still investing a considerable amount of money in research and development.

2.PRESENT SITUATION OF CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES ABROAD

In the late '80s, Japanese developers and manufactures invested much in North America due to surplus liquidity and the yen's appreciation. U.S.A. and Canada were considered to be low risk countries from many points of view. Japanese investors and manufactures wanted to entrust the investments in these countries from Japan contributed to the mitigation of the trade imbalance between Japan and U.S.A..

But in the early '90s due to the bursting of the bubble economy in Japan, developers reduced their overseas investments and some manufactures shifted their investment to Asia which is making great progress in economic development. Japan is close to this area geographically and historically, and our members had already long established a number of subsidiaries or branches there. As a result, they had a competitive advantage compared to other areas.

In recent years, about 77% of their total contract amount was awarded in Asia, and 14% in North America as well.

Overseas Contract Amount(2005-2009)

(unit: \1 milion)

Graphs related(PDF file)

	Change in Actual Past Record of Overseas Construction Contracts Awarded
	Overseas Construction Contracts Awarded in the last 5 years by Region

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