NHK President to step down in January

Japanese public broadcaster NHK’s President has confirmed he will step down in January 2014.

Masayuki Matsumoto heads up NHK’s executive team, which reports to NHK’s board of governors. Prior to his NHK appointment three years ago, Matsumoto served at Central Japan Railway Co. as Vice Chairman.

“I fulfilled my responsibility during a single three-year term,” Matsumoto said at a press briefing. He said his intention has already been conveyed to the chairman of NHK’s board of governors, Kenichiro Hamada, who has the authority to name the new President.

Matsumoto was appointed in January 2011 and is credited with cutting waste at NHK and reducing the viewing fee, and trimming executive salaries. He will leave the broadcaster on January 24.