Nihon University in Tokyo plans to appoint award-winning author Mariko Hayashi to head its board, in an effort to revamp its leadership after a series of scandals involving a former board chairman, sources close to the matter said Thursday.
If approval is granted at a board meeting Friday, Hayashi, 68, would be the first female chair of the board at the university, one of Japan's largest. A graduate of the school, she is scheduled to take up the post July 1.
Speaking to reporters in Tokyo, Hayashi said, "I've always felt that I wanted to do something for my school. I think I'll be able to speak officially tomorrow."