Japan leans toward F-35 fighter

TOKYO: Japan's defense ministry is moving towards selecting Lockheed Martin Corp's F-35 jet as the mainstay of its next-generation fighter force, Kyodo news agency reported yesterday, citing ministry sources.

The ministry, which is thinking of buying about 40 F-35s, plans to submit a purchase request in the fiscal 2011-12 budget, Kyodo said.

It added, however, that the ministry may postpone making the request for one year, due to a view in the government that the purchase should only be made when full details of the plane's capabilities are available.