Satsuki Katayama to Chair IMF-World Bank Development Committee

Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama is set to become the first Japanese official to chair the Development Committee of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group. Katayama is expected to be appointed during the committee's meeting on Thursday, with her two-year term officially beginning at the spring meetings in Washington.

Katayama intends to leverage Japan's expertise in development and economic policy to lead discussions on global challenges, specifically including the response to frontier AI. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed support for the appointment, stating it allows Japan to contribute to the international community and support the overseas activities of Japanese companies.

Katayama's attendance at this week's IMF meetings in Bangkok remains uncertain pending approval from the Japanese parliament. The meetings will proceed without U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is skipping the event due to domestic engagements.