Hikaru Saeki

is the first female admiral of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the first female in the entire Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) to achieve star rank. Originally an obstetrician-gynecologist with the degree of M.D., Saeki joined the JMSDF in 1989. After her service in several military hospitals and medical rooms aboard naval vessels, she became the first woman to head a JSDF hospital in 1997, promoted to rear admiral in 2001, and retired in 2003.

Career JSDF Central Hospital, where Saeki served as a department director when she was promoted to rear admiral in 2001. A native to the Japanese prefecture of Gunma, Hikaru Saeki was born in 1943. Graduating from the Nippon Medical School in 1969, she worked at the Keio University Hospital (as accoucheur) in Tokyo and the National Defense Medical College in Saitama Prefecture. then captain in March 1992.

In November 1995, Saeki served as the Chief of Division for Research & Laboratory at the Department of Research & Laboratory, JSDF Central Hospital in Tokyo, then Director, Department of Gynaecology at the same hospital. She was assigned to Kyoto in December 1997 to take the post of Director, JSDF Hospital Maizuru. it was under her proposal that the JSDF issued uniforms in the type of maternity dress to pregnant service members. It is a rare case among the world's armed forces for a couple to become both flag officers.