Chika Kako is a rarity in Toyota Motor Corp.'s upper echelons.
Last month, the 50-year-old was promoted to the No. 2 job at the luxury Lexus division, becoming the only woman among the automaker's top 53 managers. President Akio Toyoda has made diversifying his executive lineup a priority, but while six foreigners have risen to the company's highest ranks, the elevation of women has been slower.
"To be honest, I never really thought about approaching my work from the point of view of being a woman," said Kako, who Toyota made available for a group interview at its main Nagoya office after an annual roundtable event to introduce new executives. "My mission has always been to just speak my mind."