JAPAN: There has been plenty of press coverage on the process to select the new Bank of Japan (BOJ) governor and Kyodo News confirms that at lease one wrinkle in the process has be ironed out. A candidae whose name has been leaked to the press will not be automatically disqualified, as has been a convention for about 5 years.
JiJi Press, a Japanese news service, says the field appears to be narrowed to two candidates, Toshiro Muto and Kazumasa Iwata, both ex-BOJ officials. Both face opposition from some of the smaller parties in the Diet which could still derail their candidacies. Prime Minister Abe is expected to make a decision on the post after he returns from a trip to Washington, DC, later this week.
MNI & WWM