today key figure, as the Premier, Prince Fumimaro Konoye, asked him to accept the chairmanship of the National Planning' Board, While no confirmation could be secured, it was generally reported. that Mf, Hirota accepted this responsible post.
The Board was created by Gen. Senjuro Hayashi, Prince Konoye's predecessor, who Intended it to become the headquarters for reform policies. AS head of this organiza-_ tion, Mr. Hirota witt initiate and study: fundamental reforms in the nation's
educational and economic' systems.
iministrat political, - social, His selection was _vntirely _unexpected as cither Dr. Elichi Baba or Mr. Shinji Yoshino were regarded '85 leading candidates for the post.
Mr. Hirota this afternoon, for. the third' time, formally assumed office as Foreign Minister, taking over from hhis predecessor, INF. Naotale Sato
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.