LONDON (Kyodo) British businesswoman Nikki King knows all about male chauvinism, having overcome a ton of it while setting up a thriving firm importing Japanese trucks.

King, who has just won a top female business award in Britain, said she struggled to gain recognition from Japanese businessmen when she was first involved in setting up a joint venture with Isuzu Motors Ltd.

However, King said she soon overcame their initial surprise and wariness in dealing with a foreign businesswoman and is now treated as an equal.