TOKYO - The Japanese government officially approved the appointment of Masato Kitera as its new ambassador to China at a cabinet meeting Thursday morning.

Kitera, 60, graduated from Tokyo University, began to work for Japanese Foreign Ministry from 1976, had served as assistant chief cabinet secretary since 2011 before he was appointed as ambassador to China.

The appointment will be effective from next Monday.

Shinichi Nishimiya was nominated as new ambassador to China in September to replace Uichiro Niwa, but died of an acute heart failure before leaving for China. Kitera will take the post of Nishimiya.