Traditionally, restaurant kitchens are among the most male-dominated workplaces in Japan.
However, thanks to a lot of talent, hard work and perseverance, some women are managing to break through the glass ceiling and in turn have become an inspiration for younger aspirants.
Mika Yamasaki, 45, runs the restaurant Yamasaki in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo. It won a star in the 2009 and 2010 Michelin Guides, which rate the world's premier eateries on a scale of one to three stars.