Bank of Japan Gov. Masaru Hayami intends to resign as early as May after three years at the helm of the central bank, sources close to him said Friday.

Hayami, whose five-year term ends March 19, 2003, has conveyed his intentions to staff at the Prime Minister's Official Residence, they said.

Hayami, 76, has apparently decided to step down due to his age and for health reasons. But speculation is rife that the move is intended to take responsibility for his monetary policy management, which critics have called misguided for his unwillingness to keep interest rates virtually at zero.