Minako Nakano, Miho Nakai, Chino Kikuma… Former female announcers are becoming outside directors one after another.
Former female TV announcers have been appointed as outside directors of famous companies one after another. The main former female announcers are as follows (figures in parentheses indicate former TV stations and companies for which they are outside directors).
Motoyo Yamane (NHK, Itochu Enex)
Mitsuyo Kusano (NHK, Onward Holdings)
Kanae Takeuchi (TBS, SBI Holdings, etc.)
Mieko Mishiro (TBS, TV Asahi Holdings)
Hiroko Kiba (TBS, Tokai Railway Company, etc.)
Why are former female TV announcers so valued as outside directors? Economic journalist Takashi Matsuzaki explains.
In June 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 check for any irregularities under the watchful eye of a third party. Furthermore, in June of last year, the government convened a meeting for gender equality and set a goal of increasing the ratio of female directors to 30% or more.
In light of this trend, a former female announcer would have been an ideal candidate for a female outside director. They have a fresh and intellectual image, which makes a good impression both inside and outside the company. Many of them are children of prominent families and are well known, so they can also serve as “billboards” for the company.
Names of companies where Fuji TV announcers serve as outside directors
The largest number of female announcers are from Fuji Television Network. The number of female Fuji TV announcers on the board of outside directors is the largest among the seven listed below.
Naomi Ushio (JX Holdings, Inc.)
Tomoe Matsuda (Komeda Holdings Co., Ltd.)
Miho Nakai (Mediaseek)
Chino Kikuma (KOSÉ, KITZ, etc.)
Maiko Hasumi (Cyber Buzz, Z Holdings, etc.)
Kyoko Uchida (Kidsmile Holdings)
Minako Nakano (Shidenko)
There is a convincing reason why former Fuji employees form the “largest faction” of “former female TV announcer outside directors,” Mr. Matsuzaki continues. The aforementioned Mr. Matsuzaki continues.
