Shigeo Fukuchi helms NHK as President

Japan: Shigeo Fukuchi has taken the helm of troubled Japanese pubcaster NHK as its new President, replacing Genichi Hashimoto who stepped down at the end of his three-year term on Jan 24. Hasimoto had resigned earlier to take responsibility for alleged insider trading by three members of NHK’s staff; a case still pending investigations.

Following his appointment, Fukuchi has named former NHK staff Yoshinori Imai as Executive Vice President, who returns to the pubcaster from retirement to replace Taeko Nagai who resigned after serving her three-year term.

Speaking at the press conference at NHK Broadcasting Center in Tokyo, Fukuchi said that his position with NHK will be the final and “most challenging job of his life”. He stated that the pubcaster has to regain the public’s trust following a series of scandals during Hashimoto’s term including misappropriation of funds and alleged ‘toning down’ of a Second World War show following pressure from ex-Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe.

Fukuchi joins NHK from Asahi Breweries, Ltd. where he was most recently Advisor to the Board. He served as Asahi Breweries Chairman and CEO from 2002 and has been with the company since 1957.