AJCE and Its Activity, 200702

Restoration of National Scenery after the High Economic Growth in Japan

03

Those who destroy, or create scenery

A Foreigner's Look at AJCE's Activities over the past decade

05

Consulting Engineers Firms in Japan-Present and Future

07

Achievement of the Year 2006

12

Consulting services by AJCE members

AJCE Yearly Activity 2006

22

A Letter from AJCE Office24

NEWS LETTER 2007

AJCE and Its Activity, 2007

Akihiko HIROTANIPresident, AJCE

The Association of Japanese Consulting Engineers(AJCE) was established in 1974, by the membersof the Japanese Consulting Engineers Association(now called The Institution of Professional
Engineers, Japan;IPEJ). Through its 33-year history,
AJCE has been the sole Japanese association
adhering to FIDIC and the representative
consulting engineers of Japan ever since.

Among other news;
In September, the FIDIC annual conference washeld at Budapest Hungary, Mr.Hirotani waselected the new chairman of the FIDIC member
associations in the Asia-Pacific Region (ASPAC).
Our members also played various roles at theconference that proved AJCE to be one of the
major and contributing member associations at
FIDIC.

In recent years, a role of consultant forcontributing to society changes greatly.
Globalization in economy and social activities
advances rapidly. Especially, powerful movementin Asian countries brings dramatic growth ineconomic activities of consulting industry. Under
these business environment, much variable andwider engineering skills are in demand not only forconstruction, but also for position of solution toenvironmental problem, and social problem, suchas population, gender, education, etc.

In November, the annual seminar was held, withthe program about important issue, FIDIC New
White Book (4th Edition), Project Sustainable
Management, Quality Based Selection. Many
members from AJCE participated.
In December, AJCE modified its Home Page inEnglish, making it much more attractive, and morein line with the members strong determination tocontribute to higher level of activities and to assist
domestic consultants to access international
environment.

In Japan, we had some serious cases in last year,
the bid-riggings in public projects in Miyazaki and
Wakayama prefecture, and the scandal
concerning falsified quake-resistance data in theprivate projects. These scandals were caused forthe situation that price plays the most prominentpriority for contracting out the construction.
A new law, named the Act for Promoting Quality
Assurance in Public Works had been put into force
in April 2005. It emphasizes a particular clause,
which specifies “cost and other items shall betaken into consideration to secure the quality ofend result when necessary”. The new law also
specifies that designers play a very important role
to quality of product, requiring consultants to keepup engineering skills at the highest level of theprofession.

All of AJCE’s eight committees including Ethics,
Policy & Planning, General Affairs & Finance,
Membership, International Activities, Engineering
Development, Professional Development andPublicity & Relations have continued to be very
active.
AJCE shall continue those activities in the coming
year. We are also participating in the FIDIC
activity, like that FIDIC/ASPAC/TCDPAP meeting at
Lahore Pakistan in March, and the FIDIC
Singapore Conference in September.
Collaboration with other related associations for
consulting industries has been strengthened. AJCE
is playing an important role in this case as importerand provider of up-to-date international topics

2NEWS LETTER 2007
and news to domestic consultants. Through these
activities, AJCE contributes to promoteeconomical and technical cooperation
multilaterally.
AJCE shall expect encouraging advice andcomments from colleagues, clients and otherrelated interest holders to our consulting industry inand out of the country.
Thank you.

Restoration of National Scenery
after the High Economic Growth in Japan
Those who destroy, or create scenery

Dr. Yumio ISHII
Former President , AJCE

In Japan, the scenery so much admired once in theworld had been severely destroyed over 60 years
after the World War Ⅱ ． As one of the civilengineering consultants responsible for thesedegradations, I would like to describe what caused
the degradation and how we could restore
beautiful scenery.

infrastructure. Why did we take very long time torealize that scenery was also one of theinfrastructures? What are the concerning factors?
1.The Factors in Japanese culture, history, and nature.
(1)We took too many advantages of rich nature in
Japan.
Nature in Nagasaki Bay has as large capacity as
the Mitsubishi dockyard could be well housed.
However, in Copenhagen, also a harbor city,
factories across the port are destroying thescenery surrounding the statue of Little Mermaid.
(2)Increase of Population and Human activity, too
big for the capacity of nature. Population
increased from 33 million in 1868, the first year
when Modernization of Japan had begun, to 130
million at present.
(3)The Japanese themselves have forgotten theimportance of the scenery.
The complaint about the degradiation of thescenery, which had been raised against the
Shinkansen route plan between Kyoto andOsaka, had been socially criticized as aiming forcompensation money.
(4)Japanese culture adhering to details.
Japanese culture traditionally thinks that “Beauty
lies in the details”, and neglects the perspectiveof Beauty of Total System like scenery. Peoplebuild their beautiful houses, but they do notrealize that their houses are actually making the

Ⅰ.Why were the beautiful scenery destroyed in Japan?
First, “scenery” is expression of a life-style and asense of worth, or concept of culture. The culturaldifferences between Japan and Europe appear
most prominently in the scenery.
Japan: The culture of giving priorities to business,
which allowed industrial areas to surround Mt. Fuji, aJapanese national spiritual symbol.
Germany: The culture of putting greater emphasis
on cultural symbols than on economy, whichappears in the restoration of The Dresdner
Frauenkirche church in 2005.
Westerners had highly acclaimed Japanesescenery in past times, even if their exoticism of
Japonism had added to it. However, the history of
infrastructure construction in Japan after World War
Ⅱ was also the history of the degradation ofscenery. It was only after the enactment ofEnvironmental Policy of Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure and Transport (1991) and theamendment of River Law (1997) that the people
finally recognized scenery are important3NEWS LETTER 2007
scenery in the city. In this regard, architects havebig responsibilities for the situation.
(5)The excessive awareness of private property
ownership.
People misunderstand the meaning of“Freedom”, which they think they can build
anything in their own land.

Kiyosubashi Bridge Suspension in Tokyo (thedesignated cultural heritage in civil engineering)
have been working for more than 70 years. Becauseof its good design, construction, and maintenancefor the bridges, they have been enduring U.S air
raids and recent overloading.
The Suirokaku Aqueduct in the Nanzen-ji Zen
temple, Kyoto from the Biwako Lake Canal has
been working over 100 years. The design blending inwith the temple precincts is the one of the main
attractions for tourists.

2. The factors in civil engineering(1)Modernization with haste
Since Meiji Restoration in 1868, modernization
meant the introduction of Western systems. While alltechnologies of infrastructures were introduced
from western countries with the fundamental
differences in culture and nature, some featuresthat did not meet conditions in Japan weredisregarded.
(2)Absolute shortage of resources
There had been no resources that could be
utilized for environment after the World War Ⅱ,
not to mention the 80 years from Meiji Restoration
through the War. The Nihom-bashi Bridge in thecenter of Tokyo, which had been the symbol of thedowntown Tokyo for 400 years, was covered withthe expressway, and the river channels had
become the expressways.
(3)Lack of self-awareness of civil engineers andothers who are concerned with infrastructure
construction
They were insufficiently aware of their selfawareness that the civil engineering technology
has had a greater power to influence the natureand the society.
(4)Premature technologies of civil engineering
Engineering technologies have been considered
only in dynamic stability and rationality, andprevented from the development of engineering
technology useful for the social system. Scenery
had been further behind in their consideration.
(5)Deficiency of the education of civil engineering
There are few universities whose civil engineering
department offers Scenery courses. Also,
Aesthetics and Arts are not usually in the
curriculum of civil engineering education.

2. The collaboration with the different disciplines
Civil engineers also have some of the collaborative
achievements with the different disciplines, asmentioned in the speech by Mr. Furuichi, the first
President of Japan Society of Civil Engineers in his
inaugural address in 1914.
The bridges for Hiroshima Peace Park werestructurally designed by civil engineers, but theirrailings were artistically designed by Isamu Noguchi,
who is internationally famous sculptor. It is this bridge
design that influenced young Issei Miyake so muchas to intend to be a designer.
A private railway owner also has taken into
consideration of the scenery. It was very
exceptional activity at that time. The Sumidagawa
River bridge of Tobu Railways Asakusa Station took aunique structure called “through bridge” so thatpassengers could enjoy the views of both upstream
and downstream side of the river without being
obstructed by the bridge girders.
Consulting engineers collaborate in “Scenery” witharchitects, sculptors, urban and regional planners,
lighting designers, and farm village planners.
Symposiums called “Creating Beautiful Scenery” areheld in various locations around Japan.
3. Expected actions for consulting engineers
I have to admit that consulting engineers
participated in degradation of the scenery, butthere are great expectations for them in creating
beautiful scenery. That is because civil engineering
consultants essentially have broad perspective
about time and space. Civil engineering consultants
design infrastructure, having an eye on 100 years
and 200 years from now. Basically, they do nothave the sense that they work for their company.
They have strong awareness about the pricelessvalue that something like scenery has. They learned
a lesson, and are proactively working for restoring
and reproducing the beautiful scenery.

Ⅱ. Future of infrastructure and scenery
1. Re-evaluation of civil engineers’ efforts
There were some achievements even before theWorld WarⅡ, from Meiji Restoration in 1868 throughearly 1930s, that civil engineers had taken thescenery elements into consideration. For example,
the bridges over the Sumidagawa River such as the4NEWS LETTER 2007
There were already pioneering activities in the High
Economic Growth period.
Tomei Expressway (1964): The view of Mt. Fuji from
Ooi Matsuda interchange area is the best sceneryon the expressway.
Furukawa Shinsui (Water Amenity) Park (1974): The
polluted river that had been scheduled to be landfilled was cleaned up, and became a familiar riveramong people.
The Megane-bashi Bridge in Nagasaki (2006): The
bridge of cultural heritage swept away by the flood
had been restored to the original design, and is now
the main attraction for tourists.
The Nihom-bashi Bridge: Also, there have been
started the movements for reviving the Nihom-bashi
Bridge as the symbol of Tokyo. Local stores,
corporate group, Female Office Worker Club, andthe Ministry are working with these movements.
They are very active to re-create scenery damagedby the past Tokyo Olympics, aiming at the next
Tokyo Olympics.
Ⅲ.Conclusion, some suggestions to civil engineers
consultants(1)Promote participation of citizens and integrationof technologies.
(2)Try to improve the people’s awareness of theimportance of scenery.
(3)Recognize high responsibility as a professional(4)〜 especially a consultant bears heavy
responsibilities as a designer(5)Provide art education to civil engineers.
(6)Cooperate with experts in many different
disciplines.

A Foreigner’s Look at AJCE’s Activities
over the past decade

Eigil Steen Pedersen
PAST PRESIDENT OF FIDIC

1. Introduction
Initially I must admit that I do not have a
profound knowledge of life and working
conditions in Japan, having only visited thecountry three times over some 25 years.
However, apart from these visits I feel that I havecome to know Japan well through colleagues in
the consulting engineering community over thesame period from regular encounters at annual
conferences in FIDIC, The International
Federation of Consulting Engineers. Many ofthese colleagues - and their wives have over theyears also become very good friends of my wifeand myself.
The biggest experience, culturally and business
wise, was our attendance at the FIDIC Annual
Conference in Tokyo in 1991, followed by an
unforgettable post-conference tour to Nara andKyoto. But also my participation as FIDIC
president in the World Water Forum in Kyoto in

2003, followed by interesting meetings in Tokyo,
arranged by AJCE as well as visits to old friends,
have added to my deep respect for Japaneseculture and, indeed, for the effectiveness andprogress of the Japanese consulting engineering
profession, mainly represented by AJCE.
After my retirement from FIDIC leadership I try tokeep contact with my Japanese colleagues at
FIDIC events, but the last two years I have also
had the opportunity to participate in AJCE’s
research on the application of Design-Build and
Design-Build-Operate activities, in 2006 in general
construction, and in 2007 with special focus onwater supply and waste water projects.
As stated earlier I can not claim to have a
profound knowledge of the working conditions of
AJCE, so I beg the readers to excuse any errors in
my deliberations owing to such shortcomings.
2. On AJCE
Right from my first participation in FIDIC activities I

5NEWS LETTER 2007
have seen AJCE as a very active participant andcontributor. No doubt, AJCE saw it as its prime
responsibility to further the interests of theJapanese consulting engineering profession, but I
have never seen this done at the expense of the
global interests. In this connection I can confirm
that the Japanese views were listened to withinterest, whether by the international colleagues
or by representatives of internationalorganisations such as The World Bank or AsianDevelopment Bank.
The most important issue over the years has no
doubt been the struggle for maintaining Quality
Based Selection as the preferred basis forselection of consulting engineers, whether in thedomestic market or internationally. Together with
its American colleagues they have been thefront fighters worked actively for counteracting
the tendency of using Cost as the preferred basisof selection. This campaign has not always beensuccessful, but I would be afraid to see thesituation, globally, without these efforts. Recent
reports from the international development
institutions seem to indicate that QBS - or some
civilized versions of QCBS - Quality and Cost
Based Selection - are gaining impact.
Another issue where AJCE has been front runneris the involvement of young professionals in the
management of our profession, whether in theindividual firms, in national associations or atinternational level. During my visit to AJCE in
March 2003 I was impressed to learn about theactivities of AJCE’s task force on young
professionals, and I was pleased to have AJCE’s
support to introducing FIDIC’s Young Professionals
Management Training Programme, where I havebeen mentor since its introduction together withcolleagues from other parts of the world,
including Japan. I hope that these initiatives will
result in the necessary “rejuvenation” ofmanagement in the firms as well as theorganisations.
My latest experience - the participation in the
research on methods of contract execution shows that AJCE has accepted the importanceof bench marking its industry with its colleagues
at global level. I hope that AJCE members
appreciate this initiative, and that its results may
assist in intensifying the very important dialogue
between the association, its members andimportant clients. I also hope that the clients
understand that such research is not only in theinterest of our profession, but ultimately extremely
important for their own struggle to optimize thequality of their investments. The need for suchinitiatives is abundant, and I wish AJCE success in
its continued efforts in this work.
Finally I take the liberty to touch one of the issues,
which I feel must be dealt with in the future, but
my lack of in-depth knowledge of Japaneseconditions may prevent me from proposing theright solutions.
The days, where our profession was sitting silently
in our office and waiting to be called to a client,
are over. On one side we have to accept
responsibility for being a member of society - inmy opinion an important member, too. On theother side I am sure that society at large knows
far too little of our skills. We have to be visible insociety - to be seen and heard. It is our own
responsibility to see to, that it happens. In thisrespect it is important that our profession has astrong spokesman.
As FIDIC president I saw many good examples ofsuch spokesmen globally, but I also witnessed
examples where the spokesman was not seen to
speak for the majority of the profession, or morethat one spokesman “blurred the picture”. In
these cases society was sometimes confused,and surely the importance of our profession was
not appreciated.
I can witness that the Japanese consulting
engineering profession possesses the necessary
skills and integrity, and each of the existing
associations, AJCE, ECFA and JCCA are strong
spokesmen in their respective markets. However, I
feel that a stronger coalition between them,
preferably a federation, could assist in creating
and supporting the institution of an allencompassing spokesman, visible to andrespected by all sectors of society.
I was very pleased to be invited to present theseviews. Let me finish by repeating my deep
respect for the activities of AJCE - and gratitude
for having been considered a good friend of myJapanese colleagues. Globally, the importanceof access to top-quality impartial advice isincreasingly appreciated. This poses a great
opportunity for our profession, but at the sametime also a challenge, a responsibility tocontinuously develop and maintain the skills
required to accept this position in society. I am
sure that the Japanese consulting engineering
profession is able to accept this challenge.

6NEWS LETTER 2007

Consulting Engineers Firms in Japan - Present and Future

1.2 Their Status-quo(1) Top 50 Firms
In 2003, the thirty consulting firms which capitals
are more than 100 million yen have
327empolyees and 7.58 billion-yen turnover bothin average. Their operations are getting firmer.
Responding to the recent decrease of the public
works, they are creating new businesses. There
are an increasing number of the firms to expand
their operations outside of Japan applying theiradvanced technologies developed in thedomestic market. MLIT chose 50 larger firms andsummarized their total contract amount andnumber as shown in the tables below.
Meanwhile, according to Japan Civil Engineering
Consultants Association, their member firms
accomplished in total 59.94, 57.25 and 49.82
billion yen in 2002, 2003 and 2004 fiscal year
respectively.
(2) Associations of Consulting Firms
As previously mentioned, design and execution of
the public works have to be carried out by different
firms, consulting firms have specialized themselves
for study, survey/investigation, planning and design.
According to their specialized fields, they haveorganized five business associations below:

1. Brief Profile of Consulting Firms of Japan
1.1 Their Beginning ? After World War II
After World War II, in parallel to the restoration of thegovernment administration organization, aconsiderable part of the public works began to beawarded to contractors, not direct execution by thegovernment bodies as used to be done before
World War II. Accordingly, the planning and design
works also began to be awarded to the engineers
firms who had been engaged in a vast number ofthe restoration works after the war. Those firms weremainly engaged in project study, planning,survey/investigation and detailed design. In 1959,
Ministry of Construction issued decrees that designand execution of works had to be carried out bydifferent firms. By these decrees, roles of theconsulting engineers firms were clearly oriented tothe design works of the public works. To support thegrowing society needs and economy of Japan, thepublic works, important structures for economic
growth, had been expanding.
The consulting engineers firms have been
expanding their activities in survey/investigation,planning and design for the growing market of
public works construction.

Changes of Public Works Investment
Infrastructure Investment

90
PrivatePublic80

Trillion Yen

70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

Fiscal Year
Source: based on data collected by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT)

7

NEWS LETTER 2007
Contract Amount(Outside of Japan)

Number of Contracts(Outside of Japan)

35.0
29.8

Billion Yen

30.0
25.0 23.8

24.7
20.6

20.0
15.0
10.0
5.0
0.0

1,000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0

825
684

1.3 Prospective Developments
There had been unique aspects in implementing
the public works in Japan. Up to 1990's, there
were many engineers and experts in thegovernment offices, there was a wide range ofroles for which they should act as anadministrative officer and they played roles asplanners, researchers, designers and supervisors.
The Consulting Firms therefore, had long been
played a role as surveyors, designers for details
and inspectors for construction.
In 1990's, almost all the social infrastructures,
which were devastatingly damaged during thewar, were not only restored but also considerably
upgraded to an acceptable level. However,rapid developments and changes brought about
many
imbalancesamong
socialsectors;especially the abrupt changes of thenatural environments brought about serious
impacts to the society,some of which were to an
unacceptable situation.
As the general public wanted to be more
prosperous, the construction of social
infrastructures needed a huge amount of budget.
In this regard, people's opinions on the public
works gradually became altered. The prioritychanged from how to restore and catch-up to
how to implement and manage the public works.
In Japan, the opinion that the infrastructures haveto be in consonance with the social environments
now becomes the public consensus.
Council for Land Developments Program began
to study how to create self-developing regionalsocieties, how to advance to the international
markets, how to upgrade safety and security forpeople's life and how to create rich naturalenvironments.

888

623

2002 2003 2004 2005

2002 2003 2004 2005

Fiscal Year

Fiscal Year

Source: based on data collected by MLIT

- Japan Civil Engineering Consultants Association(512 member firms, about 73,000 employees
and 980.2 billion-yen turnover in total)- Planning Consultants Association of Japan- Association of Water and Sewage Consultants
Japan (203 member firms)- Consultants of Landscape and Architecture in
Japan (102 member firms)- Japan Consulting Engineers Cooperation(3) Fields of Engineering
The planning and engineering fields of theconsulting engineers firms are basically those forthe public works. Percentages of the government
budgets in fiscal year 2007 for each field of
public works are shown in the pie graph below.
From the graph, you may induce in whatengineering field the consulting engineers firms
are working in Japan.

Budgets for Public Works(2007 Fiscal Year)

Sewerage Urban Parks
2%
Flood Control
12%16%
Urban Environment Dev.
2%

While the implementing policy of Japandrastically changed "from construction to
management," public works projects are strictly
appraised in new principles as shown below:(1)Objectives have to be clear and the projects
have to be appraised by their results.
(2)They have to be effective and theirimplementation has to be transparent.
(3)Pre-,during and post-implementation costeffectiveness appraisals have to be carried out
and,when it is reasonable, the projects may besuspended or the appraisal method should be
improved.

Coastal Works
1%

Road Improvements
10%
Urban District Dev.
6%

Roads and Highways
29%

Housing
13%

Ports and Harbors
4%

Navigation Aids
0%
Hi-speed Railways
1%

Railways1%

Airports
3%

Source: Summary of Budgets of MLIT in fiscal 20078

NEWS LETTER 2007
Following the policy change,the consulting firms
are equipped with appropriate kinds of software
for working out measures for smooth

implementation of the public works.
Shown below is the framework for the landdevelopment program of Japan.

Source: Translated by AJCE from White Paper on Land, Infrastructure and Transportation in Japan, 2005

2.Unique technical expertise of Consulting Firms of Japanplanning stage of rather complicatedinfrastructure projects such as urban
developments that institutionally requireparticipation of the people, and that require
sophisticated approach such as planning of atraffic node where different transport modal
systems meet and more organic function isrequired.

2.1 General Demands
For many years after the war, a huge investment
had been continued for construction of
infrastructures,especially quantitatively lacking
infrastructures for transportation,flood control,
water supply and sewerage. By now, social
infrastructures have been almost quantitatively
sufficient. At present, it is important for the
consulting firms to participate in planning the
projects suitable for the matured society such as
blueprinted projects by Council for Land
Developments Program.

(2) Environment◆ Sustainable Developments
A development at a certain place will
generate changes of atmosphere, soils, water
etc at the other places as long-term effects.
Consulting firms assess the effects of thosephysical changes on the social environments
and propose the measures to develop thoseprojects sustainable.
◆ Global Greenhouse Effects
The Kyoto Protocol in 1997 aims at "Carboncontrolled Society" to regulate the exhausted
gas. Consulting firms in Japan are participatingin establishing the mechanisms to implement
the Kyoto Protocol.
◆ Recycle-oriented Society◆ At present, mass production and consumption・
have brought a huge quantity of wastes inJapan. Without proper measures, they might
have caused contamination of soil andgroundwater. To this end, not only large scale

2.2 Advanced Technologies developed in Japan(1) Urban Developments
In Japan, the mountainous lands occupy almost
70% of the total area. Most people are living at
the remaining 30% of low plains. In addition, aconsiderable part of the population
concentrates at the 3 largest population giantsof Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka-Kobe and cities
having more than 1 million population. As aconsiderable investment had been put for theurban infrastructures to mitigate chronic traffic
congestion and overcrowded mass transit. In thisregard, many a new technologies have beenpracticed in Japan.
Today, the consulting firms are engaged in the9NEWS LETTER 2007of waste-treatments are being implemented
but also new kinds of resources like incinerationashes are recycled from the process of wastetreatment. Consulting firms have acquired
technologies for planning both waste
treatment sites and incineration plants to best
meet the demands of each project. They canapply their technologies for the demands ofmany countries.
◆ Preservation of River BasinRivers themselves are important water
resources. They provide inland waterway andvital
biologicalenvironments.
Theirdevelopments will cause considerable
changes to the natural environments. On theother hand, they often bring disasters to thesociety like floods. River basin management,
therefore, comprises of those for water quantityand quality control, for fishery and leisureregulation, and for flora and faunaconservation. Proper water basin policies
reduce risks for the potential environment
problems and, even though they are notprevented, may reduce the cost for theenvironmental restoration. Consulting firms
have long been engaged in evaluation of river
basin management.
◆ Hydroelectric Generation by use of Small Water
Head
Green house effects for example, a huge
consumption of fossil fuel is threatening the
global environment. Hydroelectric power
generation therefore is in focus at present since
it rather has less impact on the environments. In
this regard, power generation technology of 1
to 200 kw/h has been developed to use 2 to 10
m rather small water head on the rivers having
sufficient water quantity. This technology
materializes power generation without a dam
and with a less maintenance cost. It can beutilized for the electrification of remote rural
areas.
(3)PFI (Private Finance Initiative), NPM(New Public
Management )◆ Administration Reform and Private Finance/Initiatives
In these years in Japan as it is so in thedeveloped countries, a considerable numberof public works are implemented on a market
economy basis to meet the demands of thesociety, in other words, without direct
involvement of governmental administration.
This is typically so in case that government

involvement is not effective and efficient, thatpublic administration cannot properly respondto the people's demands and that
implementation do not require a huge publicfinance. As a result, public works implementation has increasingly been utilizing private
finance and initiatives. To meet the people's
demands, consulting firms are providing
project owners with technologies andconsultation for the financial arrangements
and legal requirements.
◆ Evaluation on Governmental Administration/Scientific Approach for Decision Making
In developed countries, the similar manners
and criteria as the private firms use have been
introduced for evaluation on performance ofthe government administration. A scientificapp-roach applied for the decision making
and performance evaluation is being
developed. In Japan, consulting firms are, by
use of their experience for the project
implementation,
assistingthe
local
governments, particularly those having
financial shortage, in introducing NPM
methodologies to meet the peoples' demands.
(4) Assets Management
Financial administration requires economical,
effective and efficient use/maintenance ofsocial infrastructures as they have been
accumulated to support many functions of thesociety. For this requirement, consulting firms
have developed a management system how toproperly evaluate the public assets for theirmaintenance, depreciation and renewal.
(5) Disaster Prevention◆ Natural Disaster
Topographyismostlysteep
andmountainous; Earthquakes often shake theland; Typhoons have become more powerfulin these years; Strong local rain falls andsudden outbreaks of torrents are more
frequent. To cope with these particulars inJapan, consulting firms are engaged not onlyin planning and designing structural
prevention measures but also in forecastingand preventing disasters to minimize thecasualties and damages. Their involvements
are as follows:- System development to identify the risk areasand provide information to general public,- Simulation and assessment of torrents or mud
floods based on the geology including their

10NEWS LETTER 2007changes and provision of know-how forevacuation procedures, besides planning anddesigning of needed social and structural
infrastructures, and- Collection and analysis of records ofearthquake disasters together with geology andgeological strata, and preparation of a hazard
map of the concerned areas, besides designing
earthquake proof structures.
◆ Social DisasterAt present, the urban activities are more
complicated. It is more likely that one
malfunction will disable the other activities. For
preventing such potential domino effects,
collective grasp on social infrastructures in theconcerned area is needed. Consulting firms
are engaged in establishing measures for thecase that disaster takes place. They are
engaged in planning and designing of shelters
for refugees vacating the disaster areas, too.
(6) Information Technology◆ e-governments
Local governments are more and moreprocuring goods and services through IT
networks Procurements have been carried out
on CALS/EC. Digitized data of documents,
numerical numbers, and other information has
decreased cost and increased efficiency.
Consulting firms have been engaged in systemengineering for e-governments.
◆ e-applications and e-issuance
Application by the people and issuance by thegovernments for acceptance, approval,
license, permission, etc. are utilizing IT networks
at present. Consulting firms assist governments
in designing such IT networks.
◆ Facility Management
For effective use of social infrastructures, it isimportant to properly inventory them for thetimely renewal and repair. This requires asystem to store and process a vast number ofavailable information in order. Consulting firms,

knowing the details of the infrastructures since
they have planned, designed and inspected
them, are best assisting the government offices
in engineering the system.
(6) Technologies for Limited Working Space
Because of dense population and high value ofreal estate at the big cities of Japan, newconstruction is likely to cause problems to its
vicinity like noise, vibration, ambient pollution,
settlement of the ground, change ofunderground water level. Consulting firms haveacquired various design and construction
methods to tackle the problems. Technologies
have been accumulated in Japan.
◆ Tunnels and Underground Works
Steep mountains cover the most of the land ofJapan and complicated geology exists at themost part of the land. Low plains, dense
population inhabiting there, are mostly soft andhaving rather high elevation of groundwater.
Under these natural and social conditions,construction of roads and railways, flood
control, sewage systems need advanced
technologies to tunnel the mountains or utilize
the underground. For safety of structures atsuch construction sites, consulting firms haveobtained know-how to deal with thesettlement or movement of the ground, and tomaintain the groundwater elevation.
◆ 3-dimensional Crossing
Because of dense population and multipurpose use of land, it is unavoidable to have acrossing at a point among the transport system,
sewerage system, power supply, water supply,
etc. Consulting firms have developed asimulation method to forecast how eachstructure will be functioning under what kinds ofconditions, both under construction and underuse. The simulation enables consulting firms toapply highly advanced design technologies
and establish the most effective work plan
including timely delivery of materials to the site.

11NEWS LETTER 2007

“Friendship Bridge II” (Mekong River)International Bridge Construction Project, Lao PDR and Thailand

Project Objectives
The Friendship Bridge II crosses the Mekong Riverand serves as international link to connect thecountries of Lao PDR and Thailand.
In addition, the bridge also functions as anintegral part of the Indochina's “East-West
Economic Corridor (EWEC) which runs throughMyanmar, Thailand, Lao PDR and Vietnam. The
completion of the EWEC is expected tocontribute greatly to the development of these
Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries. The
bridge was opened on 20 December 2006.
Project Outlines
1) Bridge Type: PC Sail Type Continuous Box Girder
2) Foundation: Dia. 2.0m Cast-in-situ RC Plies
3) Length of Main Bridge: 1,600m
4) Length of Approach Bridge: Lao PDR 200m,
Thailand 250m
5) Total Length of the Bridge: 2,050m
6) Width of the Bridge: 12.8m, 2 Traffic Lanes and1.5m Sidewalks

12

NEWS LETTER 2007
7)Navigation Clearance: 10m above High Water Level
8)Traffic Changeover : On Thailand side 395m
9)Connecting Road: Lao PDR 1,864m, Thailand 520m
10)Border Control Facilities: Lao PDR and Thailand sides
ClientFinanced by

Achieved by

Period◆ Pre-Construction Stage: June 2002- December
2003, 19 months◆ Construction Supervision Stage: December
2003 - December 2006, 36 months
Consulting Services◆ Pre-Construction Process: Prequalification
Evaluation, Tendering Evaluation, and Construction Contract◆ Construction Supervision: Project Management
Package 1: Main Bridge, Approach Viaduct
and Traffic Changeover
Package 2: Border Control Facilities andConnecting Road (Lao PDR side)
Package 3: Border Control Facilities andConnecting Road (Thailand side)◆ Department of Road, Ministry

Communication, Transport, Post
and Construction (Lao PDR)
◆ Department of Highways,
Ministry of Transport (Thailand)
JBIC (The first time JBIC has
financed one Project for twoborrower nations for Consulting
Services and Constructions Works)
Oriental Consultants Co., Ltd.
(Japan), Nippon Koei Co., Ltd.
(Japan), Asian Engineering
Consultants Corp., Ltd. (Thailand)and Lao Transport Engineering
Consult (Lao PDR)

Sunset view on PC Sail

Thailand Border Control Facilities

Friendship Bridge II view from Lao PDR

Friendship Bridge II, PC Sail Lao PDR

13NEWS LETTER 2007

Metro Manila Flood Control Project - West of
Mangahan Floodway, Philippines
ClientFinancially
Assisted by
Achieved by
PeriodServices
Briefing

Department of Public Works andHighways (DPWH), Governmentof the Philippines
Japan Bank for International
Cooperation (JBIC)CTI Engineering International
Co., Ltd.
November 1997- June 2007
(scheduled)◆ Construction Supervision
The objectives of the project are:◆ to mitigate flood damages
caused by high water stagesof Laguna Lake; and◆ to enhance advancement of
the general welfare of theresidents of protected area
throughtheexpected
improvement of living, ecology
and environmental conditions.

Structural Components
Structural components of the project constructedare:◆ Dike with public road section along Laguna
Lake (10.8 km long)◆ Floodwalls along Napindan River (5.2 km long)◆ Pumping Stations with Regulation Ponds (4 sites;
12 units of submersible type pump with acapacity of 3 m3/s in total)◆ Floodgates (8 sites)◆ Bridge (153 m long)Completed Dike and Pumping Station

Inundation due to Flooding of Laguna Lake
before Project (Image)Control of Flooding of Laguna Lakeafter Project (Image)14

NEWS LETTER 2007

Comprehensive Countermeasures against Sediment
Disasters and Environmental Restoration Plan of
Yunnan Xiaojiang Basin, People’s Republic of China
ClientFinanced by
Achieved by
PeriodServices

JICA (Japan International
Cooperation Agency)
JICA
CTI Engineering International Co.,
Ltd. and Pasco Corporation
March 2004-February 2006
◆ Master Plan Study◆ Feasibility Study◆ Technical Transfer

implementation and management of the master
plan;◆ The feasibility studies included urgent projects forthe 4 high priority tributary basins;◆ The flood forecasting and warning system wasplanned focusing on the protection of theurban area of Xincun from debris flow;◆ The total cost of the urgent projects is
estimated at 210 millions Chinese Yuan
Renminbi (CNY).

Briefing
The objectives of the project are:◆ to formulate a master plan for sediment control
and environmental restoration of the XiaojiangRiver Basin;◆ to conduct feasibility studies on selected highpriority projects; and◆ to transfer Sabo technology for the Chinesecounterpart personnel.

Participatory Workshop

Fan formed by Debris Flow (Jiangjiagou)

Details
The major outputs through the project are:
◆ The master plan is composed of structural andnonstructural measures;◆ The structural measures are anti-debris flow
facilities (Sabo dams, channeling, etc.), andwater and soil conservation facilities(afforestation, check dams, groundsils,
terracing of sloping agricultural lands, etc.);◆ The nonstructural measures are establishmentof flood forecasting and warning system andcreation of a new organization for

15

NEWS LETTER 2007

Study on Augmentation of Water Supply andSanitation for The Goa StateIn The Republic of India
ClientFinanced by
Achieved by

PeriodServices

Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA)
JICA
Nihon Suido Consultants Co.,
Ltd.(JV Prime) NJS Consultants Co.,
Ltd. (JV Sub)
From March/2005 to
December/2006◆ Master Plan
◆ Feasibility Study etc.

Details
Services carried out included:◆ Field Investigation (water quality, leakage
survey, questionnaire survey, etc.)◆ Evaluation of existing condition◆ Preparation of Master Plan
◆ Selection of priority projects◆ Feasibility study◆ Preliminary design, Construction schedule, andImplementation plan
◆ Non Revenue Water Reduction pilot project◆ Workshop

Briefing◆ to formulate a master plan for augmentation ofwater supply and sanitation in Goa State.
◆ to conduct a feasibility study for priority
project(s) which will be selected from themaster plan
◆ to pursue technology transfer to the counterpart
personnel in the course of the study

16NEWS LETTER 2007

Towns North of Colombo Water Supply
Project, Sri Lanka
ClientFinanced by
Achieved by

PeriodServices

National Water Supply andDrainage Board
Japan Bank for International
Cooperation
Nihon Suido Consultants Co., Ltd.
In association with Ceywater
Consultants (Pvt) Ltd.
From January 1998 to
December 2006
◆ Review of Feasibility Study◆ Detailed Design

Ambatale water transmission pump:
45m3/min×850kW×2units

Details
Services carried out included:◆ Review of feasibility study, target year 2020 with
served population 350,000 & water demand
135,000m3/day◆ Detailed design of stage 1 & stage 2 full scale
project for:- Transmission pump facilities (45m3/min x850kW x
2units)- Transmission pipelines (dia.1200mm to dia.500mm 37.2km)- 6-ground water reservoirs (total capacity
V.32,950m3)- 4-elevated water towers (total capacity
V.5,000m 3 ), distribution pump facilities(6.5m3/min x 45kW - 2 units),- distribution pipelines (dia.600mm to dia.90mm 451km)◆ Construction
supervision of stage 1
works:Project costs J\5,308million+ LKR2,242million

Church Hill gravity water transmission main Dia.
1000mm SP & drain water pipe Dia. 600mm SP

Briefing◆ Construction Supervision◆ To conduct review of the existing feasibility
study to identify stage 1 & stage 2 projects’
component (0.5year)◆ To prepare detailed design for full scale project
covering stage 1 & stage 2 works (1.5years)◆ To
assistcontracts
tendering&awarding(2.5years)◆ To conduct construction supervision of stage 1
works, target year 2008 (4.5years)

Church Hill ground reservoir:
RC: L.66m×W.33m×H.9m−V.18000m3

Kandana elevated water tower: V.1000m3×H.25m

17NEWS LETTER 2007

Coral Reef Restoration using Coral Larvae Collectors
in the Ryukyus, Japanthrough insertion in to a hole in the substrate
made with an air drill and filled with adhesive
paste.

ClientFinanced by
Achieved by
PeriodServices

Briefing

In order to collect larvae, the collectors were piled up
in groups of ten, with a
total of 240 contained ina plastic cage unit
(30cm× 50cm and30cm high) fixed tothe sea bottom atspawning time.

Ministry of the Environment,
Government of Japan
Ministry of the Environment
IDEA Consultants, Inc.
October 2004 - March 2006
◆ Coral reef survey using aerial
photographs◆ Detailed design of coral transplantation◆ Producing of coral seeds◆ Supervision of coral transplantation◆ Monitoring of transplanted
corals1) Aim of the project
To recover coral reefs degradedby severe bleaching andAcanthaster outbreaks since
1998.
2) Project site
Sekisei Lagoon located southernmost in the Ryukyu chain,
Japan

Transplantation was
carriedout
inFebruary 2006 usingcoral seeds at 18 points. Larvae collectors were
sorted and contained in a plastic tank (31 cm×
44 cm×16 cm in deep) on the bottom at thecollection
sites
and
transportedtotransplantation site by boat. On arriving at thetransplantation point, seed tanks weredescended from the boat to the bottom bydivers and seeded collectors were individuallyinserted into holes using underwater epoxy(made by Sekisui Chemical Industry, Inc.). Three
hundred seeds were transplanted at each point,
totaling 5400 individuals for the 18 points.
Surveys after one, three and six months in March,
May and August 2006, respectively showed

Details
New method using Larvae collector was
employed for coral remediation. Larvae collector
has following advan-tages.
◆ No damage to existing coral◆ Large scale transplantation◆ Natural diversity◆Standardized transplantation(same age, no damage)◆ Few predator

average survival rate of the seeds in August was
78.5 %. Decrease of survived rate was due todeath of Acropora seeds. Area of seed coral inAugust 2006 increased to twice of transplantedone.

Larvae collector as artificial substratum is madefrom ceramics, 40 mm in diameter, 40 mm inheight and having a leg to allow attachment18NEWS LETTER 2007

Kalu Ganga Water Supply Project, Sri Lanka

ClientFinanced by
Achieved by
PeriodServices

National Water Supply & Drainage Board
Ministry of Urban Development &Water Supply
Japan Bank of International
Cooperation
Nippon Jogesuido Sekkei Co., Ltd.
3 April 2000 ~ 31 December 2006
Feasibility Studies, Detailed
Design, Preparation of Tender
Documents, Contract Documents,
Tender Evaluation, Construction
Supervision Advice and Assistance

Briefing of Project
Under the Phase 1, Stage 1 of the project, thewater production capacity is to be 60,000 m3/d
and the water intake structure and raw watertransmission main were sized for Phase I, Stage 2capacity, which is to be 126,000 m 3 /d.
Transmission of water to Greater Colombo service
areas in Moratuwa and Panadura under Phase 1,
Stage 1 is to be via a 1,200mm and 800mm
diameter DIP. Also, distribution system expansions
in the areas of Horana, Raigama, Bandaragama,
Panadura, Keselwatte and Moratuwa werecovered under Phase 1, Stage 1

Sedimentation Tank

High Lift Pump

Details of Services
Services carried out including 1) Field
Investigations such as Geotechnical, Surveying
and Existing Utilities etc, 2) Preparation ofContractor’s Manual, 3) Review contractor’s
work schedule, material submittals, construction
methods, working and shop drawings, 4) Review
and certify work measurements and payment
claims, 5) Provision of advice on claims, variation
orders and FIDIC Conditions of the Contract, 6)
Assist client with Commissioning and Taking-overof facilities and etc.

19NEWS LETTER 2007

Red River Bridge (Thanh Tri Bridge) Construction
Project, Vietnam
ClientFinanced by
Achieved by
PeriodDetailesProject Management Unit ThangLong (PMU Thang Long), Ministryof Transport (MOT)JBIC
Pacific Consultants International
Jul. 1997(master plan)toNov. 2006 (construction)

Briefing
Red River Bridge (Thanh Tri Bridge)
Construction Project involves construction of 18
km Elevated◆ The

Highway with Frontage Roads in the Southern
Section of the Hanoi Third Ring Road (HTRR) to
connect between National Highway No.1 andNational Highway No.5.

Services carried out included:◆ Master Plan
◆ Feasibility StudyOf the six packages in Project, the priority
Package 1 containing the Thanh Tri Bridge
commenced on 28 November 2002 and wascompleted 7 November 2006.
Red River Bridge (Thanh Tri Bridge): Length 3,084
m, Width 33.10 m, PC Box Girder and PC I-Girder◆ Detailed Design◆ Tender Assistance◆ Construction Supervision◆ Contract Administration◆ Site Inspection◆ Quality Assurance◆ Quantity

Measurement andPayment Certificate◆ Safety Precautions and Environment Protections◆ Domestic Training

20

NEWS LETTER 2007

Project Management Consultant [PMC] for
Suvarnabhumi International Airport (SIA), Thailand
ClientFinanced by
Achieved by
PeriodServices
Details

New Bangkok International
Airport Co., Ltd. / Airports ofThailand Plc
JBIC
Pacific Consultants International
1999 - 2006
◆ Project Management
Services carried out included:◆ Procurement and Tendering◆ Budget and Cost Control◆ Program Management◆ Monitoring of progress andday-to-day
controlofEngineering Design andConstruction.
◆ Contract administration activities.

Briefing◆ The initial Phase 1 included 4,000m and 3,700m

runways and airfield pavements all capable ofaccommodating A380 aircraft and 76 aircraft
movements per hour. The 563,000m2 passenger
terminal building with 51 contact gates canhandle 45 Million Annual Passengers (MAP) andis the largest in the world under a single roof. A
further 68 remote/cargo positions, car parking,public transport, maintenance and operations
facilities are supported by hi-tec communications systems and more than 30 km oflandside access roads as also associatedairport infrastructure and utilities. The airport
also boasts the highest Air Traffic Control Tower(132m) in the world. The Airport Master plan
foresees a four-runway configuration withadditional Mid-field Satellite terminals able tohandle an ultimate annual capacity of 120
MAP and 6.4 million tons of freight.

Aerial view of Main Terminal & Concourses

Supertruss at Main Terminal spans 100 m
supporting the world s largest single roof

Interior view of Concourse

21ENEWS LETTER 200722

NEWS LETTER 200723

NEWS LETTER 2007

During 2006 year, AJCE progressed at various fields and we recognize AJCE entering into new stage.
At first AJCE grip on the relationship with FIDIC to tighten up mutual interest and coordination. AJCE
did research to make clear situations at Member Associations of FIDIC in the fields of QBS realization,
Design-Build Delivery System and Unilateral Conditions of Contract comparing Red-Book at ODA
Business which would feed back to FIDIC and related MAs in order to make further reference for
FIDIC's New Publications. These also would be basic dates for discussion with government and relatedindustries in Japan to build suitable situation for CE Industry. Apart from the above, AJCE realized
several seminars based on developed workshops at FIDIC Budapest Conference and the above
research results for not only AJCE membership but also for Government Organization.
In Japan, we receive one of reliable resource on overseas information and we are expected todevelop further this activity.

Goro FUJIE, Secretary General

Having been working here almost for 15 years, I lately feel the time passing-by over AJCE every
time I hear the name of the members who used to play an active part in our standing
committee activities, now became the leaders of the member companies.
Since we moved in the Ueno office in Tokyo, I have worked with the Secretary General, and 5
young temporarily workers dispatched from the member firms who took turns one by one every
two or three years. Thanks to them, I can now handle computers somehow or other and enjoy
every day very much.
When I turn around and think about those years passed by, I deeply feel that AJCE is always
supported by everyone in the member firms. Thank you very much.

Kimie YOSHINO, Secretariat

Just one year has passed since I started working here for AJCE. It was totally new to me about
the activities of AJCE and FIDIC for I did not have international work experience before I camehere. Day and day, I have rushed through lots of all new experience, things and encounter withlots of new people this year. I enjoy working here AJCE very much, owing to warm
encouragements from Secretary General and other colleagues. I hope I can contribute to
every member firm by making the best use of my experience as an engineer, as a secretariat at
the same time, and brush up myself even more every day in future.

Saki TOMITA, Secretariat

The fiscal year 2006 was the third year for me working for AJCE. We had a lot of events this year,
began with the election of the board of directors and reshuffling of the standing committee
members which occurs every two years. Personally, I enjoyed working here communicating withcommittee members, taking charge of editing publication such as bulletins and renewal of the
Web site and, of course, communicating with co-workers here in the office. It makes me thinkhappily every day that how lovely it is having warm social relationship between people. I hope
those valuable experiences I obtained here with AJCE will be made the best use in a lot of
respects in the future, in and out of AJCE.

Miho YAMATO, Secretariat24