Over fifty American and Japanese construction, civil engineering, and architectural design companies participated in the second meeting of the U.S.-Japan Construction Cooperation Forum (CCF) on June 12 in Tokyo, Japan. The U.S. and Japanese Governments also were represented.

"My predecessor Under Secretary David L. Aaron had a strong interest in Japan's public works sector and was very concerned about the low level of U.S. participation," said Acting Under Secretary Robert S. LaRussa. "I share his interest and concern." This past year marked the second consecutive year in which U.S. firms won only $50 million in contracts (or .02 percent) in Japan's $250 billion public works market.

The CCF, which is designed to increase U.S. participation in Japan's public works market by facilitating the formation of joint ventures between U.S. and Japanese firms, was agreed to during the July 1999 annual review of the U.S.-Japan public works agreements. The inaugural meeting of the CCF was held in October. "I expect the second CCF to result in enhanced and continued cooperation between American and Japanese companies that will lead to greater participation in Japanese public works projects," said LaRussa. "The continued dialogue between our industries in the CCF is a welcomed development."