Kajima Overseas Asia Pte Ltd coordinates the regional building construction activities of one of Japan’s oldest and most respected construction and engineering firms. Sawa Hiroaki, Managing Director, discusses this central strategic role.
ROOTED IN JAPAN, BUILT ACROSS ASIA
Kajima Corporation (Kajima), the global headquarters of Kajima Overseas Asia Pte Ltd (KOA), has a rich history stretching back to 1840.
Kajima has a deep heritage as one of Japan’s leading construction, engineering, and real estate groups, with a long-standing commitment to research and technology development.
It originally started as a carpentry business in Edo, which is modern-day Tokyo, and was formally incorporated in 1930.
Over the decades, Kajima has delivered landmark projects in Japan and around the world, ranging from one of the earliest ‘Western-style’ buildings in Yokohama to major infrastructure works such as dams, railways, airports, and high-rise developments.
In terms of business, the group operates across several interconnected areas: construction and civil engineering – including commercial, industrial, and residential buildings – as well as transport infrastructure and environmental works.
Architectural design and planning are also provided, offering integrated services from concept through to execution.
On top of that, Kajima is involved in real estate development, such as urban regeneration and mixed-use projects, and specialty engineering and consulting, which includes project management, research, and environmental solutions.
Thus, Kajima essentially combines design, engineering, and construction into comprehensive design-build solutions, allowing it to manage projects end-to-end.
Headquartered in Tokyo, the group has a strong international presence with subsidiaries and offices in a further 20+ countries across Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania, allowing it to deliver projects locally whilst leveraging global expertise in engineering, sustainability, and project management.
Consistently recognised as a top global contractor, Kajima is known for technical innovation, detailed engineering, and large-scale project execution, with a rich history, broad footprint, and reputation for excellence in the built environment.
CENTRAL TO CONSTRUCTION
KOA plays a central strategic role as the regional headquarters for Kajima’s building construction business across South and Southeast Asia (SEA), leveraging the strong design capabilities of Kajima Design Asia (KDA) and the experience and expertise of Kajima Japan.
“What sets KOA apart in this region is that we leverage Kajima’s deep global experience, backed by more than 185 years of success in Japan combined with local market knowledge across multiple countries in SEA,” acclaims Sawa Hiroaki, Managing Director.
KOA’s history is rooted in its parent company’s long-standing presence and expansion in SEA, particularly Singapore.
Kajima’s overseas business expanded significantly from the 1950s onwards, with construction operations in Asia starting as early as the 1960s, including shipyard and industrial projects in Singapore.
To strengthen its regional presence, KOA was formally established in 1988 and is headquartered on the island, serving as the central organisation coordinating Kajima’s construction activities in SEA.
“As the SEA regional headquarters, we offer integrated engineering, design, and construction services, acting as a total solution provider across a wide range of sectors, from commercial and industrial buildings to residential and mission‑critical facilities such as data centres,” outlines Hiroaki.
“This means we support projects from early feasibility and design all the way through construction and post‑completion.”
Singapore isn’t just the base of KOA’s operations – it’s also where the functions of Kajima’s broader Asia Pacific headquarters are consolidated, alongside other group companies, helping to align strategy, innovation, and delivery across the region.
With an established presence in SEA and a diverse portfolio backed by Kajima’s long global track record, KOA leverages both local experience and international expertise to deliver high‑quality, safe, and sustainable built environments for clients and communities.
Indeed, it has completed a wide range of projects in Singapore and the broader region.
“These include complex commercial, institutional, residential, and mixed-use developments, spanning from the late 1950s projects executed before KOA’s formal establishment to the iconic developments of recent decades,” highlights Hiroaki.
“Lately, we have continued to evolve by incorporating digitalisation and advanced construction technologies into our operations in the 2020s, reflecting KOA’s ongoing adaptation to industry trends whilst maintaining high standards of execution in the region.”
“What sets KOA apart in this region is that we leverage Kajima’s deep global experience, backed by more than 185 years of success in Japan combined with local market knowledge across multiple countries in SEA”
Sawa Hiroaki, Managing Director, Kajima Overseas Asia Pte Ltd
OPEN INNOVATION PLATFORM
With a long-standing commitment to research and technology development, innovation is embedded in Kajima.
Notably, the Kajima Technical Research Institute, established in 1949, continues to shape how the group approaches technology not as an abstract exercise, but as something that must perform in real-world conditions.
In Singapore, The GEAR by Kajima (The GEAR) represents the evolution of that mindset. Established in 2023 as Kajima’s technology services business and open innovation platform, The GEAR is designed to bridge in-house research, external collaboration, and commercial deployment.
KOA leverages The GEAR, which provides a living lab environment where new technologies can be tested, validated, and deployed in real operating conditions.
Its role is twofold – commercialise Kajima’s proprietary technologies and serve as an open platform where start-ups, industry partners, research institutions, and public agencies can co-create and validate new solutions.
“A defining feature of The GEAR is its physical presence. The building functions as a living lab where technologies are deployed, tested, and refined in an operational environment,” Hiroaki showcases.
“This allows us to gather real performance data across areas such as smart building systems, sustainability solutions, digital construction technologies, robotics, and productivity tools. For both Kajima and our partners, this shortens the path from concept to real-world application.”
Open innovation is central to how Kajima operates. Through initiatives such as The GEAR Startup CoLab Programme, the group actively engages start-ups from around the world, providing them with access to testbeds, technical expertise, and industry networks.
Rather than limiting innovation to internal development, Kajima deliberately opens its platform to external ideas that can address complex challenges in construction, real estate, and urban development.
“Whilst The GEAR is headquartered in Singapore, its outlook is global. The platform leverages Kajima’s international footprint to help scale proven technologies beyond a single market. This global connectivity is critical because the challenges we are tackling – sustainability, productivity, resilience, and wellness in the built environment – are not confined to one geography,” acknowledges Hiroaki.
“Ultimately, I see Kajima’s technology services business and The GEAR as a convergence of legacy and forward thinking. It reflects how a long-established engineering company can remain relevant by embracing collaboration, experimentation, and real-world validation, all with the goal of shaping a more sustainable and intelligent built environment.”
CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS
As Managing Director of KOA, Hiroaki views Kajima’s presence in Asia as the result of long-term commitment, local partnerships, and the steady development of capabilities that respond to the region’s evolving needs.
“Our business here has grown over decades, shaped by the diversity of Asian markets and the importance of earning trust through consistent delivery,” he notes.
The group’s operations on the continent are coordinated through Kajima Asia Pacific Holdings Pte Ltd (KAP), the regional holding company for Kajima’s operations in Asia Pacific.
Kajima has established a strong presence in SEA through a clear regional structure. KAP sits at the top, with KOA and Kajima Development Pte Ltd (KD) operating as its subsidiaries; together, they form a complementary, end-to-end model.
Headquartered in Singapore, KAP integrates key business functions: construction (KOA), design (KDA), development (KD), and innovation platforms such as The GEAR, ensuring alignment and growth across markets.
Under KAP, KOA is the group’s construction arm and regional headquarters for building construction, whose subsidiaries across SEA are responsible for delivering complex building projects across the commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential sectors.
“Their strength lies in combining Kajima’s global construction standards with deep understanding of local regulations, supply chains, and workforce conditions,” Hiroaki insights.
KOA’s design capability is provided through KDA, which provides architectural and engineering services across the region.
“By integrating design expertise early in the project lifecycle, we improve constructability, manage risk more effectively, and enhance the long-term performance of the assets we build,” Hiroaki prides.
IN-HOUSE DESIGN CAPABILITY
KDA plays a critical role in how KOA delivers projects across SEA and is a cornerstone of Kajima’s integrated approach in Asia.
Established in 1992, KDA has evolved alongside Kajima’s long-standing presence and expansion across the region.
“As our construction and development activities grew throughout Asia, it became clear that strong, in-house design capability was essential not only to support project delivery, but also to ensure consistency in quality, engineering rigor, and long-term performance,” insights Hiroaki.
Based in Singapore, KDA operates as Kajima’s regional design hub, with approximately 140 architects and engineers working across five countries to support projects throughout SEA, South Asia, and beyond.
From a services perspective, KDA provides comprehensive architectural and engineering design capabilities, including architectural planning, structural engineering, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) design, as well as coordination across specialist disciplines.
“The team works across a broad range of asset types, including commercial offices, retail developments, industrial and manufacturing facilities, logistics and data centres, residential properties, institutional buildings, R&D facilities, and complex mixed-use projects,” Hiroaki informs.
“What differentiates KDA, in my view, is its close integration with both our construction and development teams. Design is not treated as a standalone function; instead, the team collaborates from the earliest stages of a project to ensure concepts are buildable, efficient, and aligned with lifecycle performance objectives.”
This early integration helps to manage risk, control costs, and improve construction productivity whilst maintaining high design and engineering standards.
“As our construction and development activities grew throughout Asia, it became clear that strong, in-house design capability was essential not only to support project delivery, but also to ensure consistency in quality, engineering rigor, and long-term performance”
Sawa Hiroaki, Managing Director, Kajima Overseas Asia Pte Ltd
SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
KDA brings strong technical depth in areas of growing importance across Asia, particularly sustainability, energy efficiency, and resilient building design.
Guided by its latest vision – ‘Sustainability for the Planet and Wellness for Humans’ – KDA has delivered a wide range of sustainable solutions, including notable work in industrial developments and wellness-focused projects.
A recent example of this approach is the office development, which demonstrates the team’s ability to integrate wellness principles into large-scale projects.
KDA also supports projects pursuing green building certifications and applies performance-based design to respond to climate conditions, operational efficiency, and occupant well-being, drawing on close collaboration with Kajima’s global technical and research resources in Japan.
In addition, KDA plays an important regional coordination role. The team supports local subsidiaries through technical guidance, design oversight, and knowledge transfer, whilst maintaining the flexibility required to respond to local codes, regulations, and cultural contexts.
“This balance between regional consistency and local adaptation is essential in a diverse market like Asia,” affirms Hiroaki.
“From a regional leadership perspective, I see KDA as more than a design office. It’s a strategic enabler that allows us to deliver fully integrated solutions – connecting design, construction, development and, increasingly, technology – in a way that creates long-term value for our clients and partners across the region.”
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT
Kajima’s real estate development capability in Asia, meanwhile, is led by KD, which focuses on creating long-term value rather than one-off projects.
This team oversees planning, development, and asset management for offices, commercial buildings, and mixed-use developments, particularly in key urban markets where quality and sustainability are increasingly important.
KOA works closely with KD on development projects and with the Kajima Technical Research Institute Singapore (KaTRIS), the group’s regional R&D hub.
KaTRIS develops and localises advanced construction technologies, including robotics, digital engineering, advanced materials, and sustainability solutions, embedding innovation into project delivery.
KOA’s uniqueness comes from collaborations with other Kajima business wings in Asia such as KD, KaTRIS, and The GEAR.
Like KOA, KD also operates strong local subsidiaries in markets such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
These subsidiaries bring local insight, relationships, and talent, whilst being fully connected to Kajima’s regional and global technical resources.
“From a regional perspective, this integrated structure is a key strength. Asia is diverse, fast-moving, and increasingly complex.
“Our ability to combine local execution with regional coordination and global expertise allows us to support clients across the full lifecycle of their assets and grow sustainably alongside the communities we serve,” Hiroaki closes.
SOUTHEAST ASIA PRESENCE OF KOA GROUP
KAJIMA OVERSEAS ASIA (SINGAPORE)
Kajima Overseas Asia (Singapore) (KOAS) has strong Asian roots and has been developing Singapore for more than 65 years.
With more than 168 projects successfully completed, KOAS has a strong vision to continue being a responsible, reliable, and committed construction partner in Singapore, building sustainable, high-quality projects with an unwavering commitment to safety, environmental responsibility, and on-time delivery.
KOAS is capable and competent in projects of any nature in Singapore, including commercial, industrial, institutional, hospitality, and medical.
It is committed to providing valuable solutions in terms of quality, cost, safety, and delivery through digitalisation, automation, and innovative value engineering.
The subsidiary pursues creative progress and development founded on both rational and scientific principles, as well as a humanitarian outlook, through which KOAS strives to continually advance its business operations and contribute to society.
- Tel: +65 6344 0066
- [email protected]
- koas.com.sg
THAI KAJIMA
Thai Kajima was established in 1985, specialising in all kinds of services for construction projects in Thailand.
The subsidiary provides professional construction and project management services to both private and public sector clients in the country.
For Thai Kajima, project success come from teamwork, with all work completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality.
- Tel: +66 2632 9300
- [email protected]
- kajima.co.th
KAJIMA MALAYSIA
Kajima Malaysia is a leading construction and engineering company that offers innovative solutions for projects of all sizes.
With a strong commitment to quality, Kajima Malaysia works closely with clients to deliver exceptional results that meet their unique needs.
Its expertise spans across a range of sectors, including warehouses, factories, data centres, industrial, infrastructure, and more.
Kajima Malaysia is dedicated to building a sustainable future by using cutting-edge technology, prioritising safety and environmentally friendly practices.
- Tel: +603 2272 252
- [email protected]
- kajima.com.my
KAJIMA VIETNAM
Kajima Vietnam’s business activities include building and interior design, general construction, and engineering and project management.
Established in 1994, Kajima Vietnam leverages decades of engineering experience, advanced construction technologies, and integrated design capabilities to bring complex projects to life.
The subsidiary is committed to quality management, environmental responsibility, and workplace safety, ensuring consistent excellence across every project phase, from planning and design through to construction and operation.
By using cutting-edge technologies and maintaining close collaboration with Kajima’s headquarters in Japan, Kajima Vietnam integrates proven global solutions into the local Vietnamese context, enhancing efficiency, precision, and sustainability.
- Tel: 84-28-3521-0720
- [email protected]
- kajima.com.vn
KAJIMA INDONESIA
Kajima Indonesia has been delivering excellence in construction and property development since 1998.
Based in Jakarta, the subsidiary provides comprehensive design and construction services, backed by advanced technical expertise and a commitment to quality, safety, and innovation.
Its portfolio features landmark projects such as the Plaza Senayan complex, industrial facilities for major multinational companies, and cutting-edge data centres.
Kajima Indonesia leverages international experience to meet the country’s evolving infrastructure needs.
Driven by precision and sustainability, it aims to shape Indonesia’s future through world-class developments and trusted partnerships.
- Tel: +62 21 572 4477
- [email protected]
- kajima.co.id
KAJIMA PHILIPPINES
Kajima Philippines has developed local design and build services skills, as well as expertise in all types of building construction.
It takes pride in approaching every project with a commitment to prioritising clients’ requests, aiming to deliver the best possible solutions to achieve their goals.
In doing so, Kajima Philippines ensures their specific requirements are met whilst leveraging the full extent of its technological expertise and experience.
- Tel: +632-8886-6818
- kajima.com.ph
KAJIMA INDIA
Kajima India was established in 2011 and has been involved in numerous projects throughout the country.
Its first contract was an automobile plant project in Sanand, Gujarat. Going forward, Kajima India used this project as a springboard for developing business and pursuing mandates for design and construction management, as well as construction work in projects that showcase Kajima’s technology and expertise.
- Tel: +91 124 491 1450
- [email protected]
- kajimaindia.com
This company profile was produced by the editorial team at APAC Outlook, a publication within the Outlook Publishing global network of B2B industry magazines.
Outlook Publishing showcases organisations and leadership teams shaping sectors including manufacturing, mining, construction, healthcare, supply chains, food production, and sustainability.
APAC Outlook highlights organisations driving innovation, investment, and industry development across the Asia-Pacific region.
