Japan Considering Project With Indonesia

Japan is studying an Indonesian request for joint development of a commercial flying boat for use in Indonesia, Foreign Ministry officials said today.

The project likely will be discussed at a regular meeting on technological cooperation between the two countries to be held in Jakarta in mid-July, said the officials, who declined to discuss details of the proposal.

Indonesia, a nation with nearly 4,000 islands, apparently wants to develop a plane for an inter-island transportation system, according to industry sources.

The Indonesian request calls for Japan to provide technological and financial assistance for a feasibility study on the project and help in developing the aircraft industry in the country, they said.