One of the world’s most iconic airlines, Japan Airlines (JAL) has appointed its first female president, Mitsuko Tottori.
On Wednesday, the airline released a statement announcing the former cabin attendant would start her role as president of the 71-year old company in April. It described Tottori as a member of staff who has acquired a “high level of insight and field experience” in safety operations and service.
Tottori, 59, started her career as a cabin attendant at the airline in 1985, before rising through the ranks of senior management, becoming senior vice president for cabin attendants in April 2020.
Last year, she became the senior vice president for customer experience and chief customer officer. She is currently a senior managing executive officer.
Tottori told a news conference on Wednesday she plans to bring her authentic self to her new role.
“I plan to just be myself,” she said. “I have worked to adapt to changing values so customers keep choosing JAL. Safety and service have been the linchpin of my career.”
“I feel extremely responsible for passing on the importance of safety to the next generation.”
“I want us to think about our customers first,” Tottori continued, adding that she hopes to “create a group where employees are genuinely excited to work and can achieve their potential.”
As the first woman to lead JAL, the historic appointment has been heralded as a win for gender equality in a country with the worst gender gap among the Group of Seven nations.
“There are female employees out there who are struggling with their career steps or going through big life events,” Tottori said. “I hope my appointment as a president can encourage them, or give them the courage to take the next step.”
Addressing the merger between Japan Air System and JAL which took place over two decades ago, Tottori said: “There isn’t a distinction anymore” between staff members who originally worked for JAS and for JAL, acknowledging “…things were hard at the time.”
JAL has come under intense scrutiny since the crash on January 2nd between a JAL plane and a Japan Coast Guard aircraft at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport.
All 379 passengers aboard the JAL flight escaped alive, with many crediting the calm response by the cabin attendants and passengers. Five of the six coast guard crew members died in the crash.
JAL’s current president, Yuji Akasaka said Tottori’s appointment had nothing to do with the accident at Haneda.
“I am confident she will be able to prioritize our customers while bringing out the best in our employees, steadily boosting the value of JAL Group as a leader for a new age,” he said.
Akasaka will become chairperson of JAL when Tottori takes her new post in April.