OSAKA -- The bulk of subcontract work for the second phase expansion of Kansai International Airport has been given to a group believed incapable of handling airport construction, according to documents on subcontracted work and sources familiar with the matter.

Roughly 40 percent of subcontracted work from several general contractors that originally won building works went to Kyowa Kaiken, a civil engineering group based in the city of Kishiwada, Osaka Prefecture, and two of its affiliates, the sources said.

It is unusual for such a high percentage of work to be given to one group.