Japan's Denso says to appoint Katoh as CEO

TOKYO, April 17 (Reuters) - Top Japanese auto parts maker Denso Corp (6902.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said on Thursday that Senior Managing Director Nobuaki Katoh, 59, would replace Koichi Fukaya, 64, as president and chief executive in June. Denso, one of the world's top auto parts suppliers and an affiliate of Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), said the company aimed to boost its competitiveness with a younger chief amid rapid technological advances in the industry and expanding new markets.

Fukaya will stay on as vice chairman. (Reporting by Sachi Izumi)