The rising value of the yen following the Plaza Accord of 1985 brought a decline in cost competitiveness that JGC addressed by aggressively building its bases overseas.
The company won a series of contracts for large-scale petroleum refining, petrochemical, LNG, and other such projects around the world, and in doing so, achieved an unshakable position among the world's top few engineering contractors.
In 1997, JGC founded its Yokohama World Operations Center in the Minato-Mirai district of Yokohama.

Contracted for the modernization of a refinery for Kuwait (phase 1). Successfully completed by applying a broad system that pioneered advances in project management

Founded JGC America, Inc. (formerly JGC (USA) Inc.)
Founded JAPAN FINE CERAMICS CO., LTD.
Established Research & Development Center in Ōarai, Ibaraki
Contracted to build the world's first commercial GTL plant project in Malaysia

Founded JGC PHILIPPINES, INC. (formerly Technoserve International Co., Inc.)in the Philippines
Attained over ¥600 billion (¥601 billion) in net sales (non-consolidated) for the first time
Founded JGC SINGAPORE PTE LTD
Accredited for Quality Standard ISO9001
Founded the World Operation Center (Yokohama Head Office) in Yokohama's Minato-Mirai District

(since 1997)