The controversial Yamba dam construction in Gunma Prefecture has finally resumed in full swing aiming at completion in 2019. A joint venture of Shimizu, Tekken and IHI Infrastructure Systems was selected as a contractor with successful bidding of 34.2 billion yen, the Land ministry announced August 7. The project has been halted by the government in 2009 when the Japanese Democratic Party was in office.

The package includes construction of a 116m high concrete gravity dam and gates. The ruling JDP decided to restart main construction in 2011, reversing the decision of halt in a bid to reduce public construction spending. After a series of reconsideration of the initial plan by the Liberal Democratic Party which came to power in 2012, the tender for contractors was announced in January 2014. The revised plan decides the targeted completion date in 2019, a four year delay from the initial plan. (2014/08/08)