Setsuko Tanao, an employee at Nomura Securities Co., has fought for gender equality in the workplace since joining the firm's Osaka branch as a high school graduate in 1961.
The 59-year-old Tanao, however, learned Wednesday that she will probably retire in May without having realized her long-held desire -- being promoted to an assistant section manager.
The Tokyo District Court on Wednesday ruled that Nomura's current dual track employment system -- one for future managers and the other for routine workers -- is based on gender discrimination and is illegal.