Takagi appointed deputy head of Japanese postal privatisation office

The Japanese government have unveiled a lineup of key members of a preparatory office in charge of privatising Japan’s postal services, naming Financial Services Agency (FSA) Commissioner Shokichi Takagi as one of two deputy heads.

The other deputy head of the office, to be set up April 26 under the Cabinet Secretariat, is Shinichi Nabekura, a former vice chief for policy coordination of the Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said at a news conference.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said last month Yoshiaki Watanabe, former vice agriculture, forestry and fisheries minister, will head the office.

The government handpicked the three as they are well versed in Koizumi’s postal privatisation efforts, Fukuda said.

Takagi will continue to head the FSA, Fukuda said.

The three postal services — mail delivery, postal savings and “kampo” life insurance — are currently handled by public corporation Japan Post.