Kinue Hitomi was a Japanese track and field athlete. She was the world record holder in several events in the 1920s – 1930s. Hitomi was also the first Japanese and Asian woman to win an Olympic medal. She was also the first woman to represent Japan at the Olympics. Kinue Hitomi (Empire of Japan) set the women's 100 m world record of 12.2 in Osaka, Japan on May 20, 1928. It stood 13 days, until Betty Robinson's 12.0 on June 2, 1928. Wiki link