TOKYO (AFP) ― Japan nominated a senior finance ministry official Thursday for the top job at the Asian Development Bank, as Tokyo looks to keep hold of a role it has held for almost 50 years.

Tokyo said it had named Takehiko Nakao, vice finance minister for international affairs, as its pick to head the Manila-based ADB with its current chief expected to take over as head of the Bank of Japan.

ADB head Haruhiko Kuroda was nominated last week as governor of Japan’s central bank, and the Oxford University graduate said he would step down from the ADB later this month.

Finance Minister Taro Aso on Thursday described Nakao, 57, as the “most qualified candidate for fulfilling the important responsibilities of the ADB President,” citing his “broad and in-depth knowledge of the Asian region.”