Shirakawa named BOJ chief

Masaaki Shirakawa was recently named the 30th governor of the Bank of Japan, ending a political stoush resulting in the first extended vacancy in the position in 80 years. After former governor Toshihiko Fukui retired on March 19, the Opposition-led Upper House of the Diet vetoed the Japanese Government's first two candidates. Before finally being elected to the position, Shirakawa had served as the acting governor since March 20. A former executive director of the Bank of Japan, Shirakawa is the youngest governor since 1956.