With the first design for the new Olympic stadium for the Tokyo2020 Olympics of the table, with Prime-Minster Abe ordering personally to start again from a ‘blank sheet’, the Japan Sports Council (JSC) published a second tender for Stadium’s design and construction.

The first design made by British architect Zaha Hadid came under fire from the public, as participating construction companies reported that it would be impossible to build within the budget available.  For the new design the government has capped the construction costs at €1.61 billion. Deadline for participation in the bid is set at September 18^th.

Nikkei online reports five of the largest general contractors in Japan, namely Obayashi Corporation, Kajima, Shimizu Corporation, Taisei Corporation and Takenaka Corporation are in the race for the contract. Some, such as Taisei were already involved in the previous plans.  It is viewed that the five want to use the project to showcase their technical prowess to the world, and gain a larger foothold abroad.

While foreign construction companies in theory can participate in the competition, the Japanese construction public works construction market is effectively closed off for foreign competition.  However, each of the companies vying for the project, will need to come up with a design that is innovative and cost-efficient to be successful. Here, there might be possibility for European companies as a JV-member or sub-contractor in the winning bid.

Perhaps it is now to time to make your pitch!

Schedule of Olympic Stadium construction project