Mitsuko Tottori, the first woman and former flight attendant to become president of Japan Airlines Co. (JAL), addressed 2,600 new employees at the company's entrance ceremony on April 1, the day she took office.
Tottori, known for empowering employees and maintaining open communication, was chosen to lead the company through her ability to prioritize customer needs.
Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1964, Tottori graduated from junior college and joined Toa Domestic Airlines in 1985, a company that later merged with JAL. For the first three decades, she served as a flight attendant on domestic and international routes, always at the forefront of customer service.
In 2020, Tottori became the head of the cabin crew department, overseeing 8,000 flight attendants. During her three-year tenure, which coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, she focused on protecting the employment of her colleagues while continuing to provide value to society.
Tottori believes that her mission as president is to create an environment where all employees can thrive.
Having experienced the challenges faced by female flight attendants in the past, Tottori is now in a position of leadership. She hopes to "embolden and support female employees who are struggling with their career paths by showing them that even someone like me can become president."
She is determined to set an example that is consistent with her words.