The first female president of Japan Airlines (JAL), is a well-known personality. When Mitsuko Tottori reached for the sky and broke all barriers of stereotypical thinking to take on the highest position in her organization, she became a role model for many The APAC Office recently had the opportunity to interview Ms Tottori to learn about her journey and some of the challenges she has encountered. Her path offers valuable insights and encouragement for aspiring female aviation professionals. 
In 2024 JAL is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its international flight service. According to the airline, the mission of the JAL Group is to realize a society that is safe with peace of mind and a sustainable future through air transportation and societal connections by linking countries around the world, regions in Japan, and people. The JAL Group’s ESG strategy is to create sustainable human, commercial, and logistic flows and expand the number of people related to interacting communities. To this end, we are committed to achieving net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 as soon as possible through Green Transformation. We are also committed to creating a company where everyone is engaged in their jobs and where each individual can fulfill their potential through human capital management.
ICAO: There are not a lot of professionals who stay at one company for 40 years. What motivated you to choose a career in aviation and stay in the same organization for decades?
MT: In Japan, it has been quite common to accumulate experience and enhance expertise within a single company, not limited to the aviation industry. As a cabin crew, no two flights are the same; there are always new discoveries, learnings, and interactions with customers every day, so I never really felt the sense of many years passing. Having various experiences like cabin service, as a training instructor, in the safety promotion department, and in the Customer Experience department, I was able to establish a foundation in “safety” and “service.
ICAO: What were your biggest challenges and rewards as a woman for reaching such a leadership role in a male-dominated industry? Have you seen any changes in trends that evolved in terms of gender diversity since you started your career as a flight attendant?
MT: JAL has a gender ratio of 50:50 (on a consolidated basis), and the ratio of women in organisational management positions has reached about 30%. I have always felt that it is a company with high diversity. In this environment, I wanted to play a role similar to a “flag-bearer” for diversity. Although the cabin crew department has traditionally had many women, the number of male cabin crew members has been increasing, while women are also increasingly active as mechanics and pilots.
ICAO: Can you share a specific moment or experience in your career that significantly influenced your perspective on the airline industry?
MT: Experiencing the role in the safety promotion department at the headquarters was a turning point in my career. It allowed me to objectively consider the importance of safety while also gaining a perspective that overlooks the entire JAL Group.
