Mayor Shoko Kawata of Yawata City hopes maternity leave for local leaders will become so commonplace that it no longer makes headlines.
Yawata Mayor Shoko Kawata, who recently gave birth to a baby girl. (Courtesy of Yawata City)
Shoko Kawata, the mayor of Yawata in Kyoto Prefecture, became the first sitting local government leader in Japan to take maternity leave. Time magazine recently named her to its list of the world's 100 most influential rising stars.
Speaking remotely at a city meeting on October 5, Kawata expressed her delight, saying, "I never expected this to attract so much attention."
Kawata became Japan's youngest female mayor in November 2023, at the age of 33. In May, she announced that she would take maternity leave after giving birth, with her leave scheduled to continue through early November.
She gave birth to a girl on September 15. During her leave, Kawata has continued to handle important matters and share information through online meetings and phone calls. Deputy Mayor Shigeto Nose has been serving as acting mayor in her absence.
Time noted that Kawata had set a precedent by taking maternity leave while serving as a local government leader. The magazine said her "decision drew significant backlash, illuminating the pressures working women in Japan continue to face. But she found support from residents."
The magazine also highlighted Yawata's efforts to expand support for families after childbirth, including reducing school lunch costs and providing free disposable diapers at childcare centers.
It praised Kawata's initiatives, saying she was "demonstrating how Japan can become more livable for families."
Mayor Expresses Gratitude
During an online meeting on the morning of October 5, city staff congratulated Kawata on being named to the list.
She responded, "I feel extremely honored and am surprised by the news. I want to continue working with all of you during this period until my maternity leave ends."
Later, speaking to reporters, Kawata said, "I'm glad that I was able to give birth safely and that city hall has continued to operate smoothly in my absence. More than anything, that's what matters."
She added, "I hope that maternity leave for local government leaders will eventually become so commonplace that it no longer attracts this much attention."
Kawata also said that after returning from maternity leave, she plans to continue balancing childcare with her duties as mayor by using online meetings and other remote-working arrangements.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: Kaoru Higashi, The Sankei Shimbun