Japan says World Bank should pick its own president

TOKYO, May 18 (Reuters) The World Bank should pick its own successor to Paul Wolfowitz, who will resign as the bank's president in June over his involvement in a high-paying promotion for his companion, Japan said today.

Japan is the second-largest shareholder and supplier of capital to the World Bank.

Asked about the presidency of the World Bank, which is traditionally held by an American, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki said, ''I think the World Bank will make its own decision on personnel issues such as the nationality of its president.'' Wolfowitz announced yesterday that he would step down effective on June 30, after coming under fire for arranging a pay and promotion agreement for his partner, who was employed by the bank.

''I understand that World Bank President Wolfowitz made such a decision, judging that it would be most appropriate for the bank to perform its role to eliminate poverty around the world under a new president,'' Shiozaki told a news conference.

A White House official said yesterday US President George W Bush, who reluctantly accepted Wolfowitz's resignation, intended to continue the practice of having an American as the bank's president.

Reuters SM VP0755