"It is very significant that the head was selected from the only nation that suffered atomic bombings," Japanese chief cabinet secretary spokesman Takeo Kawamura told reporters.

"We hope he will make the IAEA fully perform its role when nuclear disarmament is being called into question," he added.

Japan suffered US atomic bomb attacks on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of the Second World War.

Hiroshima Major Tadatoshi Akiba also welcomed Amano's appointment, saying that "we have high hopes that he will work toward creating a concrete roadmap for abolishing nuclear weapons."

On Thursday, the IAEA had selected Amano, Japan's current ambassador to the United Nations in Vienna, as the new director general when Mohamed ElBaradei retires after 12 years in office at the end of November.

Amano to take office on December 1

"I will do my utmost to enhance the welfare of human beings, (and) ensure sustainable development through the peaceful use of nuclear energy," Amano said. "Also, as a national coming from Japan, I'll do my utmost to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons."

After a protracted voting process, Amano received backing from two thirds of the 35 countries on the IAEA's governing board, beating South African candidate Abdul Samad Minty.

Although Amano won broad backing from industrialized nations, he failed to gain the support of a number of developing states.

Amano assumes the IAEA top post as the nuclear watchdog agency attempts to curb Iran's nuclear program, alleged military nuclear activities in Syria and North Korean nuclear tests.

ai/AFP/AP/Reuters
Editor: Chuck Penfold