Nikkei Asia

Japan is considering Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Masazumi Amamiya to be the next central bank governor. If chosen, Amamiya will succeed Governor Haruhiko Kuroda, who is set to step down in April 2021 after an eight-year tenure. Amamiya has served as deputy governor since early 2018 and is seen as a key proponent of Kuroda's aggressive monetary policy. He is also seen as a strong advocate of the BOJ's efforts to stimulate the economy and has been involved in the bank's decisions on topics ranging from trading operations to yield curve control. Amamiya is a long-time career bureaucrat who has held senior positions within the Japanese government, including as the vice minister of finance for international affairs. He is viewed as a safe choice, given his experience and familiarity with the bank's policies, but his appointment would likely signal continuity in the BOJ's current approach to monetary policy.