The president of BT Japan Corporation has become the first female vice-chairman appointed to the advisory board of Keidanren, the Japan Business Federation, Japan Real Time reported on 10 February.
Aged 50, Haruno Yoshida is one of the youngest leaders ever appointed to Keidanren.
A conservative group, composed almost entirely of men in their sixties who have spent their careers in one firm, the chief business lobby has previously pushed back against some of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s steps to empower women.
Chairman Sadayuki Sakakibara said the move was a first step, and that there could be a woman in the post of vice-chairman or chairman in the future.