The government on Friday nominated BNP Paribas economist Ryutaro Kono to join the Bank of Japan's Policy Board, drawing criticism from lawmakers concerned that he won't support bolder action to end prolonged deflation.
Kono, 47, BNP's chief Japan economist, was tapped for the nine-member board after a committee meeting of lawmakers from both chambers of the Diet, a statement showed.
The nomination comes as the central bank faces increasing pressure to spur a rebound in an economy that shrank for three of the past four years and is struggling to recover from last year's earthquake and tsunami.