Her previous roles have included president of BMW Tokyo, president of Tokyo Nissan Auto Sales, and chairperson and CEO of the Japanese supermarket chain Daiei.

[5] Hayashi entered the workforce upon graduating from Tokyo Metropolitan Aoyama High School in 1965, working at Toyo Rayon (now Toray Industries) a Japanese textile company.

[8] After ten years at Honda, Hayashi sought a role with BMW Tokyo.

Although initially turned down by the company she persisted, writing a seven-page letter to BMW Tokyo, explaining why she should be hired.

She was reelected on August 25, 2013 defeating two other candidates recommended by the Japanese Communist Party with 29.28% percent of the vote.

[10] At the conference Hayashi said: "Many Asian cities are beset by problems arising from rapid urbanization and population growth."

"We want to strengthen mutual ties by sharing knowhow needed to ensure sustainable development.