Japan's candidate for new chief of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development withdrew her candidacy Tuesday, according to the Foreign Ministry.
World Bank economist Sawako Takeuchi, who was on a shortlist of three candidates, made the decision to "help facilitate the creation of a final consensus" in the selection for the top job, the ministry said.
As a result, former Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka and former Mexican Foreign and Finance Minister Angel Gurria will advance to the final selection process, which will be held during the week of Nov. 21.