JAPAN'S POWERFUL Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) is asking for a rise of nearly 8.6% in state aerospace funding for 1996 to help support the country's collaborative programmes.
MITI's request asks for nearly '12 billion ($120 million), against '10.8 billion allocated for the current year. Much of the increase is accounted, for, by the '4 billion to support international collaboration.
Some '883 million in new funding is being requested to help underwrite the deal recently negotiated by Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries for a 30% stake in General Electric's planned growth CF34-8C engine. Japanese involvement in the engine is being expanded to include Kawasaki (Flight International, 6-12 September, P6).
Among the larger items included in MITI's proposed budget is '2.9 billion to continue support of Japan's 20% share of the Boeing 777's structure. Funds will go mainly towards development of the stretch 777-300's fuselage by Mitsubishi, Kawasaki and Fuji.
MITI is seeking a further '2.2 billion for Japan Aircraft Development to continue studies into the YS-X regional aircraft.
Source: Flight International
