McDonald's Japan names Canadian woman as new CEO

i wonder how many bigmaks she eats. 3 a day? breakfast lunch dinner?

On reading this I thought the former head, Eiko, would be a woman but turns out even he's a dude.

At least they can secretly blame a woman for poor performance in the old boys clubs and backrooms

well the more foreigners heading japanese firms the better, i say. good luck, ms. casanova. you're gonna need it!

The appointment of a female chief executive officer at the operating company should help enhance diversity at the company’s board, Harada said in a statement.

I would be embarsed to hear someone talk about me that way.

Basically saying "We hired her has a promotion"

So instead of Texas burger we will get an Ontario burger?

The late Den Fujita, the founder of McDonald's Japan, was an eccentric character who referred to himself as "The Jew of on the Ginza" (which is where its first outlet was opened). He was one of those old-fashioned Osaka entrepreneurs who achieved success through fanatical nuttiness, as opposed to the majority of today's dour CEOs with their MBAs, who work their way up the corporate ladder with minimal risk-taking.

People (read JT posters) complain about how closed Japan is, and this is what happens. Are there any American or Canadian companies that have hired a Japanese person as their CEO ?

How many ? Zero ?

Hide Suzuki: There might be a reason for that.

@gogogo

And that reason is ?

Maybe they'll finally realize that "Full of Beans" isn't the greatest slogan for their coffee (although I realize the British English meaning is different).

Good, more diversity of CEO's in Japan. Maybe they can change the working climate in Japan little by little.

Amazing, out of the millions of Japanese people, no one in Japan is suitable to be the CEO of McDonalds.

Amazing, out of the millions of Japanese people, no one in Japan is suitable to be the CEO of McDonalds.

I think they are trying to stay within the parameters of the MD brand, and want somebody who has experience in the parent organization. At the opposite end of the spectrum, look at Denny's in Japan, with their "curry rice" on the breakfast menu. That's certainly giving local customers what they want, which is why they're still in business here. I've seen pilot restaurants from US franchises go under very quickly because they adhered too closely to menus and themes that only worked well in foreign markets.

@Tiger_In_The_Hermitage

Is it so hard to understand that if you look around the world, not just Japan, then you have a better chance of finding more talented suitable people as their CEO ?

This is true for any company in any country.

This just shows that McDonalds Japan are more open minded than others.

Hide Suzuki: Unlike Mcdonalds, companies need to be hired on skills and ability rather than being female or japanese or black or something else used for promotion.

@Hide... Takashi Sekiguchi Honda Canada Inc., CEO

Don't even start.

combinibento, I had to google for a photo of Eiko, to see if it wasn't a woman. You're right, it is a dude. There's a photo of him holding a shrimp burger up to his mug. His hands are all wrong. His tie, wristwatch, hair, all come into focus. No wonder they make stupid burgers. He's a farmer. I dig Japanese farmers. When they are farming. Seriously, if you don't know how to make your product look good for a promo shot, get out.

I don't like their fries much. Regardless, it's good to see a McDonald's in Japan. Or anywhere else.

"locally born, graying men dominate the business world"

... couldn't have hit the nail on the head any harder!

Meanwhile, in Canada, McDonalds Canada announced the appointment of a Japanese woman as it's new CEO.

@MeanRingo

"Takashi Sekiguchi Honda Canada Inc., CEO"

That's just a Canadian branch of Japanese company. Is there any American or Canadian company that hired a Japanese person as CEO ? Nope, zero. Yeah, they are really open, aren't they ?

Go Sarah!

@Hide Suzuki: It is very difficult to find American bog corporations in USA. Facebook used to exist barely. then it recruited a lady CEO. Boom, So, anyone who can rescue corporations become CEO in USA. Also, in USA, race or gender are not listed on CEOs' explanation. Just their big salary and age. Forbes magazine, etc.

Maybe she will finally get McDonalds to stop smoking in their restaurants.