Chika Kako is a rarity in Toyota Motor Corp.¡¯s upper echelons.
Last month, the 50-year-old was promoted to the No. 2 job at the luxury Lexus division, becoming the only woman among the automaker¡¯s top 53 managers. President Akio Toyoda has made diversifying his executive lineup a priority, but while six foreigners have risen to the company¡¯s highest ranks, the elevation of women has been slower.
¡°To be honest, I never really thought about approaching my work from the point of view of being a woman,¡± said Kako, who Toyota made available for a group interview at its main Nagoya office after an annual roundtable event to introduce new executives. ¡°My mission has always been to just speak my mind.¡±
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