Staff writer

OSAKA -- As plans move forward on the second phase of construction at Kansai International Airport, U.S. government officials in Osaka, Tokyo and Washington are stepping up efforts to ensure that American firms are included in the bidding process.

On Wednesday, U.S. and Japanese officials are scheduled to meet in Tokyo for a two-day discussion on the Japanese construction industry. One of the topics on the agenda is U.S. participation in the bidding process for construction of a second runway at Kansai International Airport.