Bank of Japan Gov. Toshihiko Fukui's voice became slightly tense as he answered questions from reporters at a news conference last month about the upcoming appointments of his successor and two new deputy governors.
Fukui was apparently irritated that the selection of new BOJ chief to take over when his own term expires next month had become a subject of political tug of war between the ruling bloc and the opposition camp.
"This is an era when we need to exchange opinions with people in many fields on the domestic and global economies over various market issues," Fukui said Jan. 22, adding it would be unbelievable if top positions at the central bank remained vacant on such occasions.