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Billionaire Uniqlo Founder Wants a Woman to Succeed Him as CEO

  • Fast Retailing’s Yanai seeks to boost ratio of female execs
  • Head of Uniqlo’s Japan operations Akaida is possible candidate
Tadashi Yanai in Tokyo on Sept. 3.
Tadashi Yanai in Tokyo on Sept. 3.Photographer: Kentaro Takahashi/Bloomberg
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Tadashi Yanai, Fast Retailing Co.’s 70-year-old billionaire founder, said he would prefer to be succeeded by a woman as it would be better for Asia’s largest retailer.

“The job is more suitable for a woman,” Yanai, the chief executive officer behind clothing giant Uniqlo, said in an interview. “They are persevering, detailed oriented and have an aesthetic sense.”