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The government’s pick to head Japan’s central bank said on Tuesday he would be an independent governor at a critical time for the economy, but a senior opposition lawmaker warned that his appointment could be vetoed.

Toshiro Muto, currently a deputy governor at the Bank of Japan (BOJ), appeared in parliament after being nominated to replace governor Toshihiko Fukui, who retires next week.

Opposition parties who control parliament’s upper house have threatened to block the former finance ministry bureaucrat because of his ties to the government, raising the risk of a monetary policy vacuum at a time of financial market volatility.

Muto’s comments echoed those of cabinet ministers on Tuesday and supported the government’s argument that its nominees for the posts of governor and two deputies should be confirmed without delay as fears grow of a U.S americashadvance. recession.

“Japan’s economy is at a critical stage as it faces various risks at home and abroad,” Muto told a hearing in parliament’s lower house. “Signs of a U.S. economic slowdown are intensifying and downside risks for the global economy are rising.

“I would strive to gain the public’s trust and ensure the BOJ’s independence,” he said.

But Yoshito Sengoku, a senior lawmaker in the main opposition Democratic Party, told reporters Muto had not persuaded those planning to reject his appointment to change their minds.

“He answered as if he was an honor student, and it did not dispel our concerns,” said Sengoku. 

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