Achievement and Future Prospects of ICT Construction in Japan

Abstract

[abstFig src='/00280002/02.jpg' width=""300"" text='Unmanned construction system' ]Population projections for Japan suggest that the production-age population, ages 15 to 64, will be 70% or less in 2045 than that of today. In the field of construction, such rapid reductions in the production-age population will bring about a severe reduction in the number of workers as well as budget cuts in infrastructure investment due to the decrease of tax revenue. At the same time, infrastructure, which has already been constructed, is now due for maintenance and approaching its renewal dates. Therefore, the task of stably providing infrastructure for society into the future will be more difficult than ever. In the field of construction, more complex projects will have to be carried out with limited manpower and budgets. This problem will be addressed, not by an extension of existing means, but by innovations in construction technology. ICT (Intelligent Construction Technology) is expected to be a promising tool to meet these future needs. This article discusses current conditions and future prospects for a new construction model utilizing ICT in Japan.