Investigating Solutions to the Shortage of Construction Site Managers in Japan: A Research Study on the Introduction of Young BIM Engineers from China

Japan's construction industry is facing a critical labor shortage due to its aging population. To address this issue, utilizing Building Information Modeling (BIM)/Construction Information Modeling (CIM) to enhance productivity and employing foreign workers are considered effective solutions. However, research on the integration of foreign technical talents in Japan's construction sector remains limited. This paper aims to explore the potential of introducing young Chinese technicians trained in BIM to alleviate the shortage of site management personnel in Japan. First, a comparative study of BIM education in universities in China and Japan is conducted to assess the current state of BIM training in both countries. Following this, the willingness of 187 young Chinese technicians to take on management roles in Japan is investigated and analyzed, along with the satisfaction levels of 10 Chinese individuals currently managing sites in Japan. Finally, by synthesizing the survey results, the paper identifies the challenges in practical implementation and confirms the feasibility of employing BIM-educated young Chinese technicians to address Japan's labor shortage in site management.