By Tetsushi Kajimoto
TOKYO (Reuters) -Former Bank of Japan (BOJ) Deputy Governor Hiroshi Nakaso, seen as a leading contender to become the new central bank chief, said he has taken up a post heading a financial conference under the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) advisory council.
Speaking at a fintech symposium late Thursday, Nakaso made no mention of the process to choose new central bank governor who will take over incumbent Haruhiko Kuroda, whose term ends on April 8.
It was unclear how or whether Nakaso’s move may affect the nomination to choose a successor to Kuroda.
“I’m a member of ABAC, APEC’s Business Advisory Council, private-sector panel, which will handle the issue of transition of finance, I’m going to serve the chairman of a taskforce to deal with financial issues,” Nakaso said.
Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki declined to comment, when asked at a briefing on Friday whether Nakaso’s remark on the ABAC chairman job has heightened the chance another strong contender – incumbent deputy governor Masayoshi Amamiya – will become next BOJ governor.
“Nothing has been confirmed,” Suzuki said on who the government could choose as the next BOJ governor.
Nakaso’s comments came as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s administration intensifies its search for Kuroda’s successor, with the name of the nominee likely to be presented to parliament as early as this month.
Nakaso and Amamiya are seen by markets as top contenders to be chosen as next BOJ governor.
(Reporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto; Additional reporting by Leika Kihara; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Christopher Cushing)
