As it looks to counter growing Chinese influence in the Southeast Asian nation, Japan is seeking to win a contract to supply Thailand with an air defense radar system built by Mitsubishi Electric Corp., according to four Japanese government officials and one industry source.
The effort is part of a wider push by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's administration to bolster its position in the region along with its ally, the United States.
Yoshiyuki Sugiyama, the chief of staff of the Air Self Defense Force, traveled to Bangkok last month to discuss areas of possible cooperation.