* Nominee Noguchi is seen as long-time advocate of inflation target

* Nomination helps reflationists form majority on 9-member board

* Analysts see BOJ to stand pat on policy for foreseeable future

TOKYO, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Japan's government nominated academic Asahi Noguchi on Thursday to join the central bank's nine-member board, a move seen as supportive of its massive monetary stimulus.

Noguchi, a 62-year-old economics professor at Senshu University, has long been an advocate of an inflation target - even before the Bank of Japan adopted one - to put a complete end to two decades of deflation and stagnation.

Including Noguchi and BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda, five of the nine members are considered reflationists.

"I was a little surprised at the nomination of such a strong reflationist," said Yuichi Kodama, chief economist at Meiji Yasuda Research Institute.

"The government delivered its will for the BOJ to continue powerful monetary easing."

Noguchi was invited by ruling party lawmakers to give a lecture at their panel to discuss the pros and cons of modern monetary theory (MMT) - a concept floated by some U.S. academics as means to boost the economy via unlimited money-printing.

Noguchi would replace Makoto Sakurai, who is also known for his pro-reflationary views. Sakurai has, however, recently voiced concern over the growing negative impact of prolonged monetary easing.

Noguchi could not be immediately reached for comment.

The Bank of Japan earlier on Thursday stood pat on policy, while revising up its economic forecasts for the next fiscal year, signalling that it believes it has delivered sufficient stimulus for now to cushion the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Noguchi would assume his post after Sakurai serves out his five-year term at the end of March.

The nomination, which needs approval by the both chambers of parliament to take effect, is seen as almost a done deal given a solid majority by the ruling coalition. (Reporting by Yoshifumi Takemoto and Tetsushi Kajimoto; Additional reporting by Daniel Leussink, Kaori Kaneko and Takaya Yamaguchi; Editing by Chang-Ran Kim and Edwina Gibbs)