Tomoyo Nonaka (left) and Toshimasa Iue

Sanyo will also appoint Vice President Toshimasa Iue to succeed Yukinori Kuwano as president.

Toshimasa Iue, 42, is the eldest son of Chairman Satoshi Iue, 73, and a grandson of the company's founder, the late Toshio Iue.

The top management changes are aimed at reviving Sanyo with "a drastic rejuvenation" of its management, Satoshi Iue said.

Nonaka, 50, used to work at public broadcaster NHK as well as private TV Tokyo as a newscaster before joining Sanyo as an external board member in June 2002.

"Ms. Nonaka, as an outside director, has pointed out demands among customers," Satoshi Iue said, adding that she will help revive Sanyo's management by "shocking" its employees.

The surprise appointments in Sanyo's top echelon will be finalized at a board meeting in June after a general meeting of shareholders.

The Japan Times Weekly: April 16, 2005
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