France wants Japan carriers to buy more Airbus planes

TOKYO, April 11 (Reuters) - France wants Japanese airlines to buy more Airbus aircraft to offset U.S. rival Boeing's dominance of the Asian country's aviation market, the two nations said on Friday.

Prime Minister Francois Fillon and his Japanese counterpart, Yasuo Fukuda, released a joint statement after talks in Tokyo on Fillon's first day of a 48-hour trip to Japan.

"France expressed the hope that the performance and competitiveness of European aviation companies will enable Airbus to raise its market share in Japan to a level more in line with its world market share," the statement said.

Airbus, a unit of European aerospace group EADS (EAD.PA), controls about 4 percent of Japan's market, compared with about 50 percent elsewhere.

Fillon's meeting with the Japanese leader came two days after Boeing Co (BA.N) announced a third major delay for its new 787 Dreamliner plane.

All Nippon Airways (9202.T) and Japan Airlines (9205.T) are among the airlines seeking compensation after Boeing announced the additional six-month delay for the 787.

Airbus hopes to sell its A380 superjumbo to the Japanese airlines, which have long preferred Boeing. EADS Chief Executive Louis Gallois was part of Fillon's delegation to Japan.

The statement, which Fillon called "very important", said Tokyo welcomed France's desire to strengthen its efforts in the Japanese market.

The statement marked the first ever indication of Airbus' objectives in Japan's market, Fillon told a news conference with Fukuda at the Japanese leader's official residence. (Reporting by Elizabeth Pineau; Writing by Nelson Graves; Editing by Hugh Lawson)