Chubu Bureau Orders 3-Day Business Suspension for Kawakita …

The Chubu Regional Development Bureau has issued an order for the suspension of business to Kawakita Electric Industry Co., Ltd. based on the Construction Business Act. The Bureau published a “Public Notice of Order for Suspension of Construction Business Operations” in the Official Gazette dated October 13, 2026, suspending business operations related to private-sector electrical work within the areas of Gifu, Shizuoka, Aichi, and Mie Prefectures for three days, from October 14 to October 16, 2026. The date of the disposition was September 29, 2026, and the public notice is based on the provisions of Article 29-5, Paragraph 1 of the Construction Business Act.

The basis for the disposition is that the company received a fine for violating the Industrial Safety and Health Act, and the sentence became final. The Chubu Regional Development Bureau determined that this falls under Article 28, Paragraph 1, Item 3 of the Construction Business Act and issued the business suspension order pursuant to Article 28, Paragraph 3 of the same Act.

Worker Electrocuted to Death During Air Conditioning Installation Work in Obu City

The accident occurred on August 25, 2025, during an on-site survey prior to estimating costs for air conditioning installation work in Obu City, Aichi Prefecture. In a project for which the company was preparing to bid as a second-tier subcontractor, a company worker performing current measurement work inside a distribution board touched a live electrical circuit for some reason, resulting in electrocution and death.

The Chubu Regional Development Bureau determined that although there was a risk of electrocution due to contact with live electrical circuits, the company failed to take necessary measures to prevent the danger—such as requiring the use of insulating protective equipment for the live circuits and the worker—thereby causing the death of the worker.

Summary Order by Handa Summary Court and 300,000 Yen Fine

On April 10, 2026, the Handa Summary Court issued a summary order to the company and one employee, and the sentences have become final.

Corporation (Kawakita Electric Industry Co., Ltd.): Fine of 300,000 yen for violation of the Industrial Safety and Health Act
One company employee: Fine of 300,000 yen for violation of the Industrial Safety and Health Act and professional negligence resulting in death

Scope of Suspension: Private Electrical Work in 4 Prefectures; Public Works Excluded

Person Subject to Disposition: Kawakita Electric Industry Co., Ltd., Representative Director Masami Otsu
Main Office: 4-6-25 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Prefecture
License Number: Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism License (Gen/Tok 7) No. 3961
Scope of Business Ordered to be Suspended: Business related to electrical work within the areas of Gifu, Shizuoka, Aichi, and Mie Prefectures, specifically those pertaining to private-sector projects
Period: 3 days from October 14, 2026, to October 16, 2026

The public notice defines “business related to electrical contracting” as business involving the undertaking of electrical work from an orderer, and defines “private construction work” as construction work other than construction work where the orderer is the state, a local government, a public corporation listed in Appended Table 1 of the Corporation Tax Act (excluding local governments), or a corporation prescribed in Article 18 of the Regulations for Enforcement of the Construction Business Act. Public works ordered by the state or local governments are exempt from the suspension.

Safety Measures in the Construction Industry and Impact on Orderers

This disciplinary action demonstrates that when a fatal accident occurs in electrical work with deep subcontracting layers, it affects the construction plans of the prime contractor and the orderer. Even a short suspension of three days necessitates the rescheduling of orders and execution for private construction projects spanning four prefectures.

This disposition, announced under the name of Taku Nishimura, Director-General of the Chubu Regional Development Bureau, is published in the Official Gazette as an administrative disposition based on the Construction Business Act, serving as criteria for orderers and prime contractors when verifying the eligibility of their business partners.

Sources

Official Gazette (dated October 13, 2026) “Public Notice of Order for Suspension of Construction Business Operations,” Taku Nishimura, Director-General of the Chubu Regional Development Bureau
Construction Business Act (Act No. 100 of 1949) Article 28, Paragraph 1, Item 3 and Paragraph 3; Article 29-5, Paragraph 1
Summary Order of the Handa Summary Court regarding violations of the Industrial Safety and Health Act and professional negligence resulting in death (April 10, 2026)