Japan: constructing in decrease

According to a report published by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism on January 30, Japan’s housing starts in December 2008 were 82,197 units (down 5.8 per cent from the same month of the previous year), which decreased for the first time in six months. Floor area in the same month also decreased for the second month running with 6,532,000 square meters (down 7.9%).