The government on Friday chose a British molecular biologist and Nobel laureate to head a new graduate school in natural sciences that will be set up in Okinawa.

Sydney Brenner, 77, agreed to accept the post during an early January meeting in the United States with Toshimitsu Motegi, state minister in charge of issues relating to Okinawa and the disputed Russian-held islands off Hokkaido, officials said.

The government will discuss the terms of employment with Brenner, the officials said.