Japan Airlines has appointed Mitsuko Tottori, a former flight attendant, as its first female president. Tottori, who joined the company in 1985, will take over from current president and chief executive officer Yuji Akasaka on April 1, the carrier said in a Wednesday statement. “There are female employees out there who are struggling with their career steps or going through big life events,” Tottori told a news conference. “I hope my appointment as president can encourage them, or give them the courage to take the next step.” Tottori started her career as a cabin crew in 1985 when the JAL Flig…