Shigeo Fukuchi appointed new president of NHK

Shigeo Fukuchi was today officially inaugurated as new president of Japanese public broadcaster NHK. NHK’s Board of Governors approved Fukuchi, then-Advisor to the Board of Asahi Breweries, Ltd., as the new president on December 25, 2007.

At today’s press conference held at NHK Broadcasting Center in Tokyo, Fukuchi expressed his determination to commit to the management of NHK as the last and most challenging job of his life. Fukuchi said that NHK’s most important mission is to regain and enhance people’s trust. He also said it is important for NHK, as a public broadcaster, to further enrich high quality programs, provide prompt and accurate news, enhance international broadcasting, and promote digital terrestrial broadcasting.

Shigeo Fukuchi, 73, joined Asahi Breweries, Ltd. in 1957 after graduating from Nagasaki University. He became the firm’s President and COO in 2000. He was appointed Chairman and CEO in 2002, and became Advisor to the Board in March 2006. He is the first president from outside NHK since the late Yoshizo Ikeda from Mitsui & Co, Ltd, who became NHK president in 1988.

Genichi Hashimoto stepped down Thursday, January 24, the day his three-year term was to expire. Hashimoto served as NHK President since January 25, 2005.

Taeko Nagai, who served her three-year term as NHK Executive Vice-President, also resigned yesterday. The next Vice-President is expected to be appointed by Fukuchi shortly.

The Board of Governors is NHK’s highest decision-making body. Consisting of 12 representatives of the public who are appointed by the Prime Minister, the board renders impartial judgment on matters relating to NHK’s management policy and operations.

(Source: NHK)