The National Police Agency announced Friday it has appointed Toshie Tanaka, 47, as the first female chief of the Iwate Prefectural Police.
Tanaka, who currently serves as director of the NPA's International Investigative Operations, which probes cross-border crimes and those involving foreigners, will replace Shinichiro Takaki on Aug. 20.
Born in Suita, Osaka Prefecture, Tanaka graduated from the University of Tokyo's law faculty and in 1989 became the first female officer to join the NPA's executive career track.
In March 1998, she was appointed as the first female chief of the Saitama Prefectural Police's second investigation division, which tackles bribery and fraud.
In 2001, she assumed the position of chief at Hodogaya Police Station in Yokohama, becoming the first female head of a police station.
