Staff writer
Michio Ochi won the post of Financial Reconstruction Commission chairman for his expertise in financial affairs, which is said to be unparalleled among other politicians. But his philosophy on banking industry reform may differ from the aggressive reformist policies pursued by predecessor Hakuo Yanagisawa.
A veteran Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker, the 70-year-old Ochi has served as chief of the Economic Planning Agency twice. He was also a key member of an LDP panel that pushed financial revitalization legislation through the Diet last fall. The laws paved the way for the creation of the commission he now heads.