The number of foreign-headquartered companies that hold Japanese contractor licenses in March 2014 increased 11 from a year earlier to 132 from 21 countries, recording the highest number since recordkeeping began in 1988, Land Ministry said July 14. 18 companies obtained licenses last fiscal year, while 7 withdrew from the country.

Companies based in Europe accounted 68, the most among other regions followed by North America of 44 and Asia of 19. 43 firms are from the US and 11 each from Switzerland and the Netherlands. Permissions given to companies from Asia have been increasing especially from China and South Korea. (2014/07/15)