Tokyo — Japan Airlines has named its first female president, a former cabin attendant who rose through the ranks to senior management, taking a deeply symbolic step in a country struggling to close a vast gender gap at work. “There are female employees out there who are struggling with their career steps or going through big life events,” Tottori told a news conference. Airline safety is under a fresh spotlight after a collision between a JAL plane and a Japanese Coast Guard aircraft at Tokyo’s Haneda airport this month. JAL has said Tottori acquired a “high level of insight and field experience” in safety operations and service. The current president, Yuji Akasaka, will become chairperson while continuing to hold a representative director title, the airline said in its statement.

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Persons: Mitsuko Tottori, Yuji Akasaka, Yoshiharu Ueki Organizations: Japan Airlines, JAL, OECD, Airline, Japanese Coast Guard Locations: Tokyo, Tottori, Japan, Haneda