TOKYO –  Japan's government says it has selected the Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter to bolster its aging air force.

A Cabinet spokesman says the defense ministry will buy a total of 42 fighters starting next fiscal year, which begins in April.

Japan wrangled for years over whether to buy the F-35, Boeing F-18 or the Eurofighter Typhoon. Japanese officials took into account the quality of the plane as well as close U.S.-Japan military ties, said Noriyuki Shikata, deputy Cabinet secretary for public relations.

The F-35, also called the Joint Strike Fighter, is the Pentagon's biggest weapons procurement program and has support from allies including Britain, Australia, Canada, Israel and several European nations.