The government has nominated Fujifilm Holdings Corp. President Shigetaka Komori for NHK's management committee with the expectation that he will become the panel's chairman, according to sources.
After the Diet approves the nomination, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will formally appoint Komori, 67, to the committee.
He is expected to be elected chairman by the other panel members, the sources said. He would succeed Kunio Ishihara, who stepped down to focus on his work as president of Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co.
As chairman, Komori will have to address a number of scandals at NHK and take part in reforming the public broadcaster.
However, his nomination is not supported in all corners. Some Liberal Democratic Party members have said there should be caution in appointing him.
Komori, a native of the city of Nagasaki, graduated from the University of Tokyo and joined Fuji Photo Film in 1963.
Komori became president of Fuji Photo Film Co., the predecessor of Fujifilm Holdings, in June 2000. When the digitalization of photography began reducing demand for film, Komori diversified the company, moving into growing areas, including parts for liquid crystal displays and pharmaceutical products.
The government hopes Komori's management abilities will help NHK President Genichi Hashimoto as he carries out reforms.
The 12-member NHK committee is responsible for deciding management policy. Some members' terms will expire next month and Ishihara has expressed his intention to resign to deal with a nonpayment scandal at his firm.