A joint venture between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Fuji Heavy Industries (now better known as the parent company of automobile manufacturer Subaru), Shin Meiwa, Showa Aircraft Industry Company and Japan Aircraft Industry Company was set up in 1957, being formalised as the Nihon Aeroplane Manufacturing Company (NAMC) in 1959.
В консорциум по проектированию и производству такого самолёта вошли предприятия Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Fuji Heavy Industries , Shin Meiwa, Showa Aircraft Industry Company и Japan Aircraft Industry Company; образованный в 1959 консорциум был назван Nihon Aeroplane Manufacturing Company (NAMC).