Transforming Construction in Japan 2019
The Transforming Construction Expert Mission travelled to Japan in the first week of April 2019. During the mission, a delegation of experts from industry, government and academia visited the cities of Tokyo and Osaka over five days to meet key stakeholders from the Japanese construction sector.
Abstract from outcome report:
The UK Government identifies construction as one of the largest sectors in the UK economy – with an annual turnover in 2017 of £370 billion, contributing £138 billion in value-added to the UK economy, and employing 3.1 million people (nine per cent of the total UK workforce).
However, the Farmer Review of the UK Construction Labour Model diagnosed deep structural problems in the sector. These included low productivity, low predictability, fragmentation, labour and skills shortages, and a lack of research, development, and investment in innovation. The Farmer Review made a number of recommendations, most of which were accepted by the UK Government, paving the way for the Construction Sector Deal.
By encouraging investment in innovation and skills, creating new and well paid jobs, and maximising its export potential, the deal will substantially boost the sector’s productivity. This will also reduce the environmental impact, improve the efficiency and reduce the whole life cost of new projects and buildings to help build the houses, schools, hospitals and major transport projects British society needs.
About Global Expert Missions
The Global Expert Missions (GEM) programme is funded by Innovate UK and designed to build international collaborations with governments, societies, enterprises, institutions, and people from every corner of the globe. With global challenges requiring international perspectives, the programme aims to support the UK government’s ambition to be the international partner of choice and a global hub for innovation by 2035.