In 1859, the Edo shogunate opened the ports of Yokohama, Nagasaki, and Hakodate to trade with the United States, Britain, the Netherlands, France, and Russia. This action marked the beginning of the end of more than two centuries of isolation for Japan. Then, as work to build up Yokohama and make it an open port kicked into high gear, an enormous boom ensued.

As the birth of modern Japan was taking place, Kajima was moving out of its infancy and growing into a formidable construction firm. Its most notable project of that time—the Eiichiban Kan—was Japan’s very first Western-style building. It became a landmark in the port of Yokohama, which in turn stood as the symbol of the new “open Japan.” Kajima’s founder, Iwakichi Kajima, realized that the opening of the port of Yokohama would bring opportunity for rapid growth. To seize the chance, he moved to Yokohama with his family.

Some 150 years after the opening of its port to foreign trade, Yokohama ranks today as Japan’s premier seaport, and tourists to the city are endlessly charmed by the exotic atmosphere of this harbor district. The city has just finished holding “A Grand Exposition for Yokohama’s 150th Year” to celebrate its sesquicentennial. As one retraces the path of Japan’s cultural awakening of the 19th century, one cannot help but be reminded of the story of Kajima’s development, as well.

Amid growing concerns over the need to conserve the global environment, the term “biodiversity” is emerging as one of the leading keywords of our times.

As human beings, we depend on other life forms for our clothing, food, and shelter. It is imperative that we protect biodiversity, not only for the sake of sharing the planet with other life forms, but also to keep the planet inhabitable for ourselves.

Business enterprises, no less than governments or individuals, must address the issue of biodiversity. We are all called upon to do our part.

Located on the north coast of Africa along the Mediterranean Sea, the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria is the second largest country on the continent, and has about six times the land area of Japan. The population is about 33.5 million, and 99% of it is Muslim. The Mediterranean climate in the northern part of the country is very different from the dry, hot conditions in the southern part of the country, which lies below the Atlas mountain range.

Currently, a Kajima-led consortium of Japanese companies is constructing one of the world’s longest motorways along the north coast of Algeria, which is a journey of about a day and a half from Japan via France. At the construction site, consortium staff are working hard every day to overcome all the challenges that come with a project of this scale.

Kajima Overseas Asia Pte. Ltd. (KOA), headquartered in Singapore, celebrated the 20th anniversary of its establishment in 2008. For two decades now, KOA has been leading the charge to develop Kajima’s business in Southeast Asia.

Singapore has successfully strengthened its economy by taking aggressive steps to attract foreign investment. Large-scale investment in construction continues today, and the country’s per capita GDP now surpasses that of Japan. Singapore sits atop the ranks of the most affluent nations in all of Asia.

Southeast Asia continues to grow as a “manufacturer to the world.” The pace of investments for production facilities was particularly brisk in Thailand’s auto industry through the end of 2008.

For the past 20 years, KOA has been a part of the Southeast Asian success story, building trust and a track record that have made it one of the most highly regarded general contractors in all of Asia.