An advisory panel on Foreign Ministry reform on Monday called for appointing 20 percent of ambassadors from outside the ministry within three years to increase competition for overseas postings.
In its final report submitted to Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi on Monday evening, the panel also urged the government to consider ways to integrate official development assistance work now handled by various ministries but fell short of clearly calling for the establishment of a new aid agency.
Kawaguchi thanked Yoshihiko Miyauchi, panel head and Orix Corp. chairman, saying she will make sure the panel's recommendations are reflected in her action program on reform to be mapped out in August.