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Quarterly Report on Construction Dispute Resolution in Japan

On July 15, 2026, the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism released a report detailing the status of construction dispute resolutions for the first quarter of the fiscal year. This report is part of the quarterly obligations under Article 25-25 of the Construction Business Act and the corresponding regulations. As per the established guidelines, the Construction Dispute Review Board, a non-judicial entity formed under the law at the national and local levels, is responsible for resolving disputes arising from construction contracts efficiently and fairly without resorting to litigation.

Overview of the Report

In the first quarter of 2026, the board received a total of 18 new applications for dispute resolution, marking a significant increase of 12 cases compared to the same period last year. Previous cases pending from the previous term stood at 23, with a total of 7 cases resolved. Consequently, this resulted in 34 disputes carried over into the next quarter.

The newly reported disputes reveal varied participant types, with 6 cases originating from individuals contracting with contractors, 4 cases from subcontractors against general contractors, 3 claims from corporate clients against contractors, and disputes involving corporations and individual clients making up the remainder. The most common types of disputes involved construction defects and payment issues, each accounting for 5 cases.

Dispute Types and Context

The specifics of the 18 filed cases show a diverse range of conflicts within the construction industry.
Types of Parties Involved:

• - Individuals to Contractors: 6 cases
• - Subcontractors to General Contractors: 4 cases
• - Corporations to Contractors: 3 cases
• - Contractors to Corporations and General Contractors to Subcontractors: 2 cases each
• - Contractors to Individuals: 1 case

Types of Disputes:

• - Construction Defects: 5 cases
• - Payment Issues: 5 cases

These disputes represent the complexities barring the construction industry's efficiency, as the reported numbers illustrate a noticeable uptick in conflicts challenging both the contractors and clients involved. The board emphasizes its commitment to facilitating quicker resolutions to these issues and highlighting the importance of maintaining clear communication among all parties to prevent disagreements from escalating.

For further details and insights, stakeholders are encouraged to visit the official website of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The board's efforts remain geared towards ensuring a fair process and resolving disputes amicably, which is essential for fostering trust and collaboration within the construction industry.

Contact Information

For inquiries related to the construction dispute resolution board, individuals can reach out to:
Construction Dispute Review Board Secretariat
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Real Estate and Construction Economy Bureau
Construction Industry Division, Dispute Coordination Office
Contact: Ichige, Murayama
Tel: 03-5253-8111 (Internal: 24-763, 24-764)
Direct Line: 03-5253-8279

As the construction industry continues to evolve, the feedback from this report will play a crucial role in shaping policies aimed at minimizing future disputes and enhancing the overall efficiency of construction projects across Japan.