The government plans to appoint Osamu Tsuno, former director general of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau, as a Supreme Court justice, replacing Tsugio Kameyama, who is retiring, government officials said Monday.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will meet soon with Chief Justice Akira Machida to decide on the appointment, the officials said.

A native of Ehime Prefecture, Tsuno, 65, joined the Finance Ministry in 1962. He served as the Cabinet Legislation Bureau's director general for three years until August 2002.