Japan Airlines appoints former flight attendant as first female president

In a groundbreaking decision, Japan Airlines has selected Mitsuko Tottori as its next president, marking the first time a woman has held this position within a major Japanese and global airline.

Tottori, who began her career as a flight attendant in 1985, expressed her hope that this significant appointment would inspire other women to advance in their professional journeys.

Scheduled to assume office on April 1, Tottori will succeed Yuji Akasaka, who will transition to the role of chairman, the airline’s highest-ranking position. These leadership changes follow a recent incident at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport where a Japan Airlines plane collided with a smaller coastguard aircraft.

Miraculously, all 379 passengers and crew on the jet survived, though five of the six crew members on the coastguard plane tragically lost their lives.

Having progressed from a frontline role to director for cabin crew in 2015, Tottori emphasized her commitment to prioritizing safety. At a press conference, she stated, “Operational safety is the foundation of airlines. I will continue to demonstrate my firm commitment to this principle.”

Acknowledging the challenges faced by women in career progression, Tottori expressed her desire for her appointment to serve as inspiration, stating, “I hope my appointment can encourage them, or give them the courage to take the next step.”

This milestone aligns with a gradual shift in the aviation industry, as highlighted by a FlightGlobal survey revealing an increase in women leading top airlines. Despite such progress, the global aviation landscape still sees a limited number of women in senior leadership roles.

In the broader context of corporate leadership in Japan, Tottori’s appointment stands as a notable exception. The government’s aim to achieve a third of leadership positions for women by 2030 reflects broader initiatives to address gender disparities, as seen in the target for businesses to appoint at least one woman as an executive by 2025.

However, as of 2021, women held only 13.2% of management positions in Japan, the lowest among OECD member countries, indicating a persistent gender imbalance.