The revival of the airline was made possible through significant state-backed financial support and a comprehensive restructuring effort, including the appointment of a new board and management.

The key figure behind this transformation was Kazuo Inamori, a 77-year-old retiree and ordained Buddhist monk. His leadership was instrumental in rescuing the airline, paving the way for individuals like Ms. Tottori to assume leadership roles within JAL.

In an interview from 2012, Mr. Inamori candidly criticized JAL, describing it as an arrogant company that disregarded customer needs. Under his guidance, JAL shifted its focus to promoting employees from frontline operational roles, such as pilots and engineers, rather than bureaucratic positions.

Reflecting on his tenure, Mr. Inamori expressed discomfort with the lack of a private sector feel within the company, noting the influx of former government officials with generous compensation packages.

JAL has since made significant progress, highlighted by the recent attention on its first female president, Ms. Tottori. Her appointment aligns with the Japanese government's efforts to increase female representation in leadership positions, aiming for a third of major business leadership roles to be held by women by 2030, after missing the 2020 target.

Ms. Tottori emphasized the importance of mindset and confidence among aspiring female leaders, expressing hope that her appointment would inspire other women to pursue opportunities they may have previously found daunting.