Fukui Gov. Issei Nishikawa announced plans Monday to appoint Masatoshi Yamamoto, a former president of DuPont K.K., the Japanese unit of U.S. chemical firm DuPont, to the post of prefectural vice governor.
The unusual plan follows a public pledge by Nishikawa to fill the post with someone from the private sector.
Nishikawa announced the plan to a special budget committee of the prefectural assembly, voicing hope that Yamamoto's experience in company management will boost the management of the prefectural government.
Nishikawa will submit a proposal on Wednesday, the last day of the current assembly session, seeking approval of Yamamoto's appointment. If approved, Yamamoto will assume the post Aug. 1.
A native of Osaka Prefecture, the 62-year-old Yamamoto was hired by auto parts maker Denso Corp. in 1964 after graduating from Kobe University.
He joined DuPont K.K. in September 1997 as vice president. After becoming president in January 1998, he assumed the post of special adviser in January this year.