	japan builders seek cartel to restrict output japanese builders have applied to the state s fair trade commission to form a cartel to restrict tonnage built to about half of total capacity for the year starting april officials of the builders association of japan said under the plan yards capable of building s of more than gross tons will curtail operations to three mln compensated gross registered tonnes cgrt a year against capacity of about six mln cgrt the transport ministry estimates new orders at mln cgrt in the year to march and mln the following year the industry has curtailed production due to oversupply nearly every year since under cartel or transport ministry guidelines the latest guidelines call for a ceiling of four mln cgrt in the year to march the cartels self imposed and self regulated are not legally binding but industry finds it in its own interest to stick to them the slowdown in orders has been caused by the strong yen and a protracted worldwide building slump reuter 
