This spring marked a historic achievement for the Fukuoka Prefectural Police with Miho Ohara’s appointment as the first female station chief, now at the helm of Ukiha Police Station. At 59, Chief Ohara, who assumed her role on March 5, led a rooftop equipment inspection before approximately 30 station members, symbolizing a new era in the department’s history. Her pioneering role as station chief reflects a significant step forward in the force’s embrace of diversity and gender inclusion.
Since joining the force in 1983, Ohara has served in pivotal roles, including overseeing the Hakata Station front police box and acting as deputy chief at Jonan Police Station. She underscores the critical need for a police force that mirrors society’s diversity, particularly by integrating women’s insights, to respond proactively to evolving social dynamics. Committed to fostering a secure and community-focused Ukiha, her leadership embodies the shift towards greater inclusivity within the force. Despite the low representation of women in the force, which stands at just 10% nationally, Fukuoka Prefectural Police are dedicated to enhancing their recruitment of women, evidenced by the significant female officer intake in recent years. Source: TNC
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