Lenovo Group is in talks with NEC Corp for a joint venture in personal computers, the Nikkei business daily reported today. The newspaper said Lenovo planned to take a controlling interest in NEC's PC unit. Lenovo is looking to tap NEC's technology for development and expand its share of the Japanese market, the Nikkei said. NEC-branded PCs are expected to remain on the market, the Nikkei reported.

Responding to the report, NEC Electronics said that "no decisions have been made concerning the PC business."

NEC controlled about 18 percent of the Japanese PC market in 2009 -- but globally stood 12th with a share of less than 1 percent. Lenovo had about 27 percent of its home market and was No. 4 globally with a share of about 8 percent, the Nikkei said.