The government wants to appoint a University of Tokyo professor and foreign policy adviser as an ambassador to the United Nations.
The government hopes the appointment of Shinichi Kitaoka, part of efforts by the Foreign Ministry to recruit outside experts to serve as overseas envoys, would take effect around spring if Kitaoka agrees, government sources said Tuesday.
Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi declined comment on Kitaoka's appointment, but said she hopes to continue efforts to recruit private-sector personnel as ambassadors.
If appointed, Kitaoka, 55, would replace Yoshiyuki Motomura, one of the two deputy permanent representatives to the U.N.
There are three Japanese ambassadors to the U.N., headed by Koichi Haraguchi, the permanent representative.