Japan Airlines has named longtime company executive Mitsuko Tottori as its first female president, effective April 1, 2024, subject to the approval of shareholders and the board, the company announced last week. She will succeed Yuji Akasaka, who in April will become chairperson and retain his representative director title. He will succeed Yoshiharu Ueki, the current chairperson, who will retire in April.
Tottori joined Japan Airlines in April 1985 and worked her way up from a cabin attendant to senior executive positions, including her current roles as senior managing executive officer and SVP of customer experience and chief customer officer, according to the carrier.
The announcement marks the second time this month that a carrier has named a woman to a top leadership role, following JetBlue’s Jan. 8 announcement that current president and COO Joanna Geraghty on Feb. 12 will succeed CEO Robin Hayes.
