Japanese Land Ministry decided August 22 an action plan promoting active participation of women in construction industry in collaboration with major industry groups such as Japan Federation of Construction Contractors. The plan targets to increase the number of female engineers and craft workers from current 100,000 to 200,000 by 2019. As women’s involvement is considered as a key to future human resources development, the ministry is looking to various approaches such as improving worksite facilities, reducing overtime and collaborating with local municipalities and groups.

To achieve the goal to double current 10,000 female engineers and 90,000 crafts in five years, the action plan mentions three perspectives; promoting new hiring, continuous employment and reskilling. The ministry decided 10 major challenges to take in the plan. Addition to approaches such as improving working conditions both in system and equipment, publicity for women who consider working in construction industry is also included such as transmitting information on internet. (2014/08/25)