Naoko Takahashi, Miki Sakai, Hitomi Shimatani… Female athletes and actresses “selected one after another by famous companies as outside directors” have a vested interest.

Mr. Takahashi has a wide range of experience and perspective as a leading figure in the field of sports, as well as a wide range of external contribution activities and experience. From such a position, we hope that you will offer fresh advice and suggestions on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) measures.”

The appointment of Naoko Takahashi, 50, a gold medalist in the women’s marathon at the Sydney Olympics, as an outside director is scheduled to be approved at the annual general meeting of shareholders in June.

Ms. Takahashi received the National Medal of Honor in October 2000 when she won the gold medal. He is currently a member of the board of directors of the Japanese Olympic Committee and was appointed as an outside director of the real estate company “Starts Corporation” last June. As announced by Suzuki, he has a wealth of experience outside the world of sports and would be a good choice for an outside director,” said a reporter from the business department of a national newspaper.

Chino Kikuma, Kanae Takeuchi, and other female announcers

Takahashi is not the only well-known woman to become an outside director of a major company: In March 2009, actress Miki Sakai (44) became an outside director of food manufacturer Fujiya. In December of the same year, Maiko Ito (58) became an outside director of the real estate technology company Tusk. The following are the main actresses and female announcers who have become outside directors.

Hitomi Shimatani (singer), ICheck, an antigen testing service company

Chino Kikuma (ex-Fuji TV), cosmetics manufacturer Kose

Kanae Takeuchi (ex-TBS), financial services company “SBI Holdings

Yuko Kuniya (ex-NHK) Shipbuilding company “NYK Line

Mitsuyo Kusano (ex-NHK) Apparel company “Onward Holdings

Ai Fukuhara (former table tennis player), table tennis team Ryukyu Astida

Why do so many companies select actresses and female TV announcers as outside directors? Economic journalist Takashi Matsuzaki explains.

In 2003, the Tokyo Stock Exchange added a rule to its listing rules requiring the appointment of two or more outside directors from the viewpoint of governance. The aim was to strictly check for any irregularities through the eyes of a third party. Initially, well-known executives, such as Yuzaburo Mogi of Kikkoman Corporation and Yoshihiko Miyauchi of Orix Corporation, as well as professors at prestigious universities and lawyers were selected.

Gradually, however, companies began to lose interest in appointing third parties and there was a shortage of qualified candidates. Companies probably do not want to have their internal affairs checked too rigorously. The purpose of the appointments became a skeleton, and people with high education and a good image, such as actors, who could be used to gain prestige in the company, came to be valued.

The appointment of actresses and female TV announcers was further supported by the government’s goal of increasing the percentage of female executives at listed companies to 10%. Ms. Matsuzaki continues.

Actresses and female TV announcers are ideal candidates for female executives. Because they are well-known, they have a strong ability to communicate their activities to the public. If they disclose their corporate activities on their blogs, etc., it will have a tremendous publicity effect.

As an actress, I think being a corporate executive is an attractive position. It is a great career boost for them. They have always had personal connections with top executives of companies through their TV programs. It is a natural trend that more and more actresses and female TV announcers become outside directors.

Behind this trend, there seems to be a mutual interest between famous companies and actresses.