TOKYO - The Japanese government officially approved the appointment of Masato Kitera as its new ambassador to 皇冠体育app at a cabinet meeting Thursday morning.

Kitera, 60, graduated from Tokyo University, began to work for Japanese Foreign Ministry from 1976, had served as assistant chief cabinet secretary since 2011 before he was appointed as ambassador to 皇冠体育app.

The appointment will be effective from next Monday.

Shinichi Nishimiya was nominated as new ambassador to 皇冠体育app in September to replace Uichiro Niwa, but died of an acute heart failure before leaving for 皇冠体育app. Kitera will take the post of Nishimiya.