Japan is considering allowing foreign companies to...

Japan is considering allowing foreign companies to participate in Japanese public works projects wholly funded by the government, backing down from an earlier refusal to allow outside participation, the government said. The Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported that foreign firms will have to form joint ventures with Japanese partners in order to participate. A Foreign Ministry spokesman said no final decision had been made. Prime Minister Noboru Takeshita is expected to present the plan to President Reagan during Takeshita’s first trip to Washington as Japan’s leader next month, Yomiuri reported.