Japan's construction industry is a large component of the Japanese economy in terms of economic production and employment.

Its history is one that closely reflects the country's overall economic trajectory, from the founding of the capital in the feudal era to economic modernization and imperial rule, and with the recovery and great economic expansion of Japan's post-war years to the present.

More recently, the industry has been affected by preparations for major events and a push for sustainability, notably the 2020 Summer Olympics. Contemporary challenges include maintaining access to labor and tackling political corruption.

The first physical record of a construction industry in Japan is Horyuji, a Buddhist temple that was completed in 607 and is now the oldest wooden building in the world.

More comparable to a modern industry can be seen starting in Edo, now Tokyo, during the Edo Period. In the 17th century, Edo was the largest city in the world with a population of over one million.

Edo carpenters especially benefited in the Dahan-Kotai. The system required daimyo, feudal lords, to spend years in Edo. The extent of development this encouraged in Osaka, Edo and travel stations was large enough to require the establishment of logging regulations to ensure a sustainable supply of building materials.

Typical housing for the lower classes were all-timbered buildings with the prospect of frequent reconstruction. Due to the frequency of great fires, rebuilding was expected and was even celebrated as a part of life in Edo.