Mitsuko Tottori: Former Flight Attendant Is 1st Female President Of Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines (JAL) made history by appointing its first female president, Mitsuko Tottori, an experienced executive who climbed the corporate ladder after starting her career as a cabin attendant. This significant move marks a symbolic breakthrough in a country grappling with a considerable gender gap in the workplace. Mitsuko Tottori, a senior managing executive officer with a remarkable tenure at JAL since 1985, is set to assume the presidency on April 1, according to an official statement from the airline. Her career trajectory includes navigating through the challenges faced by JAL in 1985, a year marred by one of the worst crashes in airline history.

Addressing Japan's Gender Diversity Challenges

The appointment of Tottori comes at a critical juncture when Japanese companies are under mounting pressure to enhance gender diversity and combat a substantial gender pay gap. Japan currently faces the highest gender pay gap among the Group of Seven nations, nearly doubling the average of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) grouping of advanced economies.

A Leader Who Listens

Tottori believes that if you put your customers first, you'll always find a way to succeed. She shared this belief with 2,600 new employees at the company's entrance ceremony, She espouses the mantra, "If you always think about what is best for the customer, you will always find a breakthrough." Known for empowering her team and keeping communication open, Tottori's leadership style is all about listening to her people.  

Tottori's Message of Empowerment

Mitsuko Tottori's journey to the top of Japan Airlines is nothing short of remarkable. Starting her career nearly forty years ago as a flight attendant, she defied conventional norms and steadily climbed the ranks within the company. Unlike previous CEOs, who typically hailed from aviation academia or piloting backgrounds, Tottori's rise from cabin crew to CEO is a departure from tradition. She worked her way up from being a flight attendant on domestic and international routes to overseeing 8,000 flight attendants as head of the cabin crew department.

In a news conference, Tottori conveyed a powerful message, acknowledging the struggles faced by female employees in their careers and personal lives. "There are female employees out there who are struggling with their career steps or going through big life events," she stated. "I hope my appointment as president can encourage them or give them the courage to take the next step."

2020 threw a curveball with the COVID-19 pandemic, drastically reducing flights. But Tottori didn't back down. She worked tirelessly to find new roles for grounded employees, ensuring they kept their jobs while still contributing to society. As Japan Airlines seeks to recover from the pandemic-era downturn and welcome back tourists to Japan, Tottori's leadership will be more crucial in steering the company through these turbulent times.

Recent events have brought airline safety into focus, following a collision between a JAL plane and a Japanese Coast Guard aircraft at Tokyo's Haneda airport. Despite the incident, all 379 people on board the airliner managed to escape as it burst into flames. JAL emphasized Tottori's "high level of insight and field experience" in safety operations and service.

As part of the leadership transition, the current president, Yuji Akasaka, will assume the role of chairperson while retaining the title of representative director. Additionally, Yoshiharu Ueki, the current chairman, is set to retire in April, pending shareholder approval in June.

Commitment to Gender Diversity

JAL has set ambitious targets for gender diversity, aiming for women to constitute 30% of managers across the group by the end of the fiscal year in March 2026. As of March 2023, the corresponding figure stood at 22.8%, reflecting the airline's commitment to bridging the gender gap within its ranks.

 Back when she started, female flight attendants often had to quit when they got married or had kids. Tottori wants to change that and inspire other women to aim high.

Tottori's appointment comes at a critical time for Japan Inc., as the country grapples with the need to foster greater diversity and inclusion in corporate leadership. Despite Japan's strong safety culture in aviation, it ranks low in global gender parity indexes, highlighting the persistent gender gap in the workforce.

Mitsuko Tottori's appointment as the first female president of Japan Airlines not only breaks the country’s traditional gender norms but also reflects a broader shift in Japan's corporate landscape towards greater inclusivity and diversity. Her journey from a cabin attendant to a senior executive serves as an inspiration for aspiring professionals, and her leadership will play a pivotal role in steering Japan Airlines through both challenges and opportunities in the aviation industry.