Comparison of U.S. and Japanese Practices in Public Construction

Abstract

Research conducted on public construction contracting practices in Japan and the United States is discussed. A comparison is made of contracting practices in Japan and the United States by examining how a major Japanese construction company functioned on two representative public contracts in Japan and on two public contracts in the United States. The paper makes recommendation for changes in procedures by American contractors seeking to do business in Japan and for Japanese contractors seeking to perform work in the United States. These changes may be necessary before contractor organizations from both countries can take full advantage of each other's construction market potential.