Japan Football Association vice president Kozo Tashima was formally approved as an executive committee member of soccer's world governing body FIFA on Friday at the FIFA congress.
Tashima, 57, is the first Japanese to serve on the executive committee since former JFA president Junji Ogura retired from his post in 2011 and fourth overall.
His appointment comes amid a fresh corruption scandal that has further tarnished FIFA's reputation.
"Conversely this has made it even more meaningful," said Tashima. "I have to stand at the forefront and face the challenge of reforming FIFA."