The Bank of Japan appointed Tokiko Shimizu as its first female branch manager in its 128-year history.

Shimizu, 45, will assume the post in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, on Friday, according to a statement released by the central bank Monday.

Miyako Suda, the BOJ Policy Board's longest-serving member, is the only woman on the nine-member panel and the second female to hold that post since the central bank was established in 1882.

Shimizu joined the BOJ in 1987 after graduating from Tokyo University with an engineering degree and has served at the bank's financial market department and London office.