The government on Tuesday said it has nominated Toyoshi Fuketa, a commissioner of the country's nuclear watchdog, to take the top post at the regulator, in the first change of leadership since it was revamped after the Fukushima disaster.
Fuketa, 59, was named to replace Shunichi Tanaka, 72, as the chairman of the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA), who is retiring in September, a parliamentary official said by phone. Fuketa's appointment requires confirmation by lawmakers.
His nomination comes six years after the meltdowns at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear station, operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc., which led to a revision of atomic regulations, after an official inquiry into the disaster highlighted collusion between regulators and industry.