Tokyo - US aviation giant Boeing said Thursday that five Japanese firms would supply major parts of the fuselage for its new 777X jet, which is set for delivery in 2020.
Under the accord signed in Tokyo, the parts to be produced by the five - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Fuji Heavy Industries, ShinMaywa Industries and NIPPI Corp - would account for 21% of the next-generation aircraft, Boeing said.
That is down from about one-third of the Japan-produced parts for Boeing's troubled Dreamliner, which suffered a string of battery problems last year that led to a months-long global grounding.
The five companies working on the newest jet also supplied parts for Boeing's 777 twin-engine widebody jet, the predecessor of the new model.
The yet-to-be-launched jet is Boeing's newest member of the 777 family, with advanced technology including composite wings and new engines that Boeing says will consume 20% less fuel than today's model.
Boeing did not supply financial details of the newest production deal.