McDonald’s Japan names Canadian woman to take helm

AP FILE PHOTO

TOKYO—McDonald’s Japan named a Canadian woman to take the helm Tuesday, an extremely rare appointment in a nation where locally born, graying men dominate the business world.

Sarah Casanova, 48, a veteran of the hamburger chain’s global operations, replaced Eiko Harada, who will remain as the head of the firm’s holding company, McDonald’s Japan Holdings.

McDonald’s Japan is struggling to improve its sagging earnings as the Japanese market for casual dining continues to shrink.

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.

Casanova joins a small group of foreign-born executives to lead major Japanese firms.

Notable leaders include Carlos Ghosn at automaker Nissan, Monika Merz at Toys “R” Us-Japan and Howard Stringer, a former Sony chairman.