OSAKA -- Struggling general contractor Arai-Gumi Ltd. said Friday it has agreed with Konoike Construction Co. to form a capital and operational alliance, a move orchestrated by their main lender, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., to assist Arai-Gumi.

The two midsize general contractors, based in the Kansai region, reached the agreement as part of a restructuring plan announced the same day by Arai-Gumi.

The plan includes a request for 64 billion yen in debt waivers to major creditors.