Maki Akaida, former group senior vice president at parent company Fast Retailing, has assumed the role of CEO for Uniqlo's Japanese business, making her the first woman to hold the prestigious position.
After joining Uniqlo in 2001, Akaida worked at stores in areas ranging from Tokyo's Ginza district to Niigata Prefecture. When managing a store in the capital's desirable suburb of Kichijoji, she was known for successfully overseeing one of the most popular Uniqlo outlets in the country.
Akaida is only the second person to hold the Japan CEO title since the end of a long reign by Fast Retailing Chairman, President and CEO Tadashi Yanai. She replaces Takao Kuwahara, a group executive vice president at the parent company who originally succeeded Yanai as head of the Japan business last fall.
Women held 36% of Fast Retailing's managerial posts in fiscal 2018, exceeding the government's 30% target for businesses to meet by 2020. But this remains a far cry from the "50% or more" Yanai wants to see for executive officers.
Paul Arkwright
Publisher
