TOKYO, Sept 8: After sharp criticism over a series of bid-Hgglng and bribery scandals, Japan's Construction Ministry । decided Wednesday to widen the field of construction compa- I nies 1t allows to bid on public ; works projects, reports AP.

Bui the ministry's new system Is short of the completely open one US officials have demanded In past negotiations as a way of ending the "dango," or bidding rigging practices satd to be rampant In Japan's son st ruction market

Until now. only 10 designated contractors could bid on a given public works project ordered by the central govern ment. The designated companies often get together before placing blds and come to an understanding of who will get the contract

But under the new system, specific bidders will no longer be designated, and any company that has done a public works project worth 500 millton yen (481.000 dollar) or more can bid. The ministry admits, however, that the new requirements will still limit the field to about 30 companies.

"If a completely open bidding system were Introduced, It would allow firms with little ex pertence to win," said Toshto Kutsukake of the Ministry's Construction Contractors Division.

Kutsukake satd the new bidding system will be limited to large-scale projects of 1 billion yen (9.6 million dollar) or more for the time being.

Under the new system, contractors also must have recent experience with projects similar to the one being bid on, and there are requirements for the number of qualified engineers tn the firm.

The ministry originally planned to introduce the new system later tn the year, but widespread corruption cases surfacing in recent months forced It to facilitate the measure. critics said.