Japan’s Youngest Female Mayor Makes History by Taking Maternity Leave

The mayor of Yawata, a city of about 69,000 in western Japan, has become the first sitting mayor in the country to take maternity leave. Shoko Kawata, 33, who was elected Japan’s youngest female mayor in 2023, began her leave on July 20, drawing both international attention and domestic criticism.

Kawata, who is heavily pregnant, said she had always planned to have children. While city employees in Yawata are entitled to 16 weeks of maternity leave, no such rule existed for the mayor. She had to create a system for her own leave. ‘I was very surprised to learn that I was the first mayor in Japan to take maternity leave,’ Kawata said. ‘This made me realize that very few young women, or women in general, had become mayors in the country.’

Her decision has sparked debate in a country where women remain underrepresented in politics. Japan ranked 118th out of 148 countries in the World Economic Forum’s latest gender gap report, and 125th in political empowerment. Kawata noted that while people often discuss gender equality, there is a need to build a society where leaders feel comfortable having children.

Most residents interviewed supported her decision, but some questioned her receiving full salary while on leave. Kawata expressed disappointment at online criticism accusing her of not doing her job. Her baby is expected in September.

Article and image source: japanherald.com