"The point is that for the first time since 1985-1986, we have seen the return of an industrial construction market."

Last week, Japan agreed to open its construction market to American companies.

My speculation is that our construction market will eventually go to the Koreans.

"As a result, there is virtually no unemployment in the construction markets, but people are still angry at them."

A few years ago, the construction market was at an all-time high.

By 1993, the belt-tightening began to pay off as the construction market started to turn around.

They fight for the few jobs left in the depressed construction market.

The overall construction market "is certainly not good," he said, especially for office buildings.

"They have been priced out of the new construction market in single family homes," he said.

American officials say they want a commitment by the Japanese to open their entire construction market as a matter of principle.