Johnson, the paper's South Asian bureau chief based in New Delhi, will move to London and oversee the team of 12 writers on the column.
Johnson replaces former editor Tracy Corrigan who had held the position since January 2006 and left to join the Daily Telegraph as an assistant editor.
Editor of the Financial Times, Lionel Barber, commented: "I am delighted that Jo has accepted this position editing one of journalism's most celebrated and respected columns."
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