The Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry said Wednesday it has requested a budget appropriation of 8.309 trillion yen for fiscal 2003, up 16 percent from its initial budget for the current fiscal year.

The request for fiscal 2003, which begins April 1, features 7.675 trillion yen for public investment, also up 16 percent and the maximum amount permitted for public works projects.

But the land ministry's total allocation is expected to be significantly lower than its request when the budget is compiled in December as the government plans to cut public investment by 3 percent next year.