The government has nominated two economists to the Bank of Japan's Policy Board who have previously signaled support for stimulus, underscoring forecasts for policy makers to expand asset purchases in coming months.
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's administration on Monday tapped Takahide Kiuchi of Nomura Securities Co. and Takehiro Sato of Morgan Stanley MUFG Securities Co., pending confirmation by the Diet.
The picks broke with a practice of choosing candidates from similar backgrounds to the board members they replace: The retired members had business backgrounds.