Japan opposition Democrat official: cannot support BOJ nominee Iwata

TOKYO (REUTERS) - A Japan opposition Democratic Party lawmaker who is involved in screening candidates for the Bank of Japan board said on Tuesday he cannot support Kikuo Iwata, the government's nominee for one of the two BOJ deputy governor posts.

Mr Keisuke Tsumura, a Democrat lawmaker who questioned Mr Iwata at a confirmation hearing, told reporters he objected to Mr Iwata because Mr Iwata wants to revise the law governing the central bank's independence.

Mr Tsumura said he will report his stance to senior members of the Democratic Party.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party holds a majority in the lower house of parliament, but does not have a majority in the upper house. The opposition Democrats could potentially hold decisive votes for nominees in that chamber.