nagano

Nagano prefectural watchdog reports that public bidding was rigged

In Nagano Prefecture in central Japan, a committee responsible for the oversight of bidding for public works projects on January 31 submitted to Governor Tanaka Yasuo a report revealing that contractors colluded in the bidding for the construction of Asakawa Dam.

This is the first time that a prefectural body acknowledged collusion between contractors for dam construction contracts.

Igarashi Takayoshi, a professor who has studied public works projects, said, "I think that the 'Yamazaki document' reported by Akahata in its article on bid-rigging over dam construction has worked as the biggest motive power and the strongest evidence."

Akahata on August 30, 2001 reported, based on internal documents of Yamazaki Construction, a dam builder subcontractor, that the outcome of a bidding more than 4 years ahead is predicted precisely, at a price 96 percent of the benchmark price.

Akahata on February 1 said that structural collusion and graft over dam construction exists nationwide, and general contractor construction companies were shocked at the Nagano report, fearing that they will be upset if Nagano's example spreads nationwide.

Akahata also reported that citizens of Nagano Prefecture welcome the report, expressing their hope that from now on Nagano will be the forerunner in fair bidding over public works projects. (end)