Mitsuko Tottori, a former flight attendant, has made history as the first woman and the first former flight attendant to become president of Japan Airlines Co. (JAL).
Tottori's journey began in Fukuoka Prefecture, where she graduated from junior college and joined Toa Domestic Airlines in 1985. For the first three decades of her career, 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. Her tenure coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, and she spent almost every day talking with her subordinates online about shifting grounded employees into other kinds of jobs. This strategy protected 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. 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."
Tottori's leadership is a testament to her dedication to customer service, her ability to empower employees, and her commitment to creating a more equitable workplace.