Story Of Mitsuko Tottori, Flight Attendant Who Went On To Become CEO Of Japan Airlines

The internet has witnessed many success stories that have made rounds. These success stories have inspired many people and made them believe that hard work, perseverance, and determination can help anyone achieve their dreams. Recently, in January, Mitsuko Tottori was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Japan Airlines. This news came as a milestone in the corporate sector as her career underwent a major shift. Mitsuko started working as a cabin crew member, and after many years of hard work, she has now become the CEO. Her story has come out as a great inspiration for many.

In 1985, Mitsuko Tottori started her career as a flight attendant before reaching a high position at Japanese Airlines. After working for almost three decades, Mitsuko was appointed in 2015 as senior director of cabin attendants. In 2024, she climbed steadily through the ranks to become president and CEO of Japan Airlines. She has become the first woman to hold this position at the airline. As Mitsuko Tottori has been appointed as the CEO, Japan Airlines has now become a part of less than 1 per cent of Japan’s top companies that women lead. The airlines revealed that Mitsuko’s experience and contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic were deciding factors in their decision to appoint her as CEO.

Japan Airlines has had 10 men so far who have held the top position, and out of them, seven have studied at prestigious institutions and top universities. But Mitsuko Tottori turned out to be an exception. She comes from a very different background as compared to her predecessors. Mitsuko completed her graduation from a less-prestigious women’s college, Kwassui Women’s Junior College in Nagasaki.

Mitsuko has also been an advocate for ensuring that men and women are represented equally at the top of Japan’s corporate sector. In a conversation with CNN, Mistuko said, “Japan is still in a place of establishing the initial goal of increase of female managers. I hope that Japan will soon become a place where people are not surprised when a woman becomes president.”