Maternity Leave for Japanese Mayor Sparks Debate, Draws International Attention

Shoko Kawata, the mayor of Yawata, a city in western Japan with approximately 69,000 residents, has made history as the first sitting mayor in the country to take maternity leave. Her decision, while drawing some domestic criticism, has garnered significant international media attention.

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I was very surprised myself to learn that I am the first mayor to (take maternity leave). It made me realise that until now there simply haven’t been many young women, or women in general, who have become mayors.

Kawata, who became Japan's youngest female mayor at 33 in 2023, had planned for children when she took office. She noted that while Yawata city employees are guaranteed 16 weeks of maternity leave, no such protocol existed for the mayoral position, necessitating its creation. "I was very surprised myself to learn that I am the first mayor to (take maternity leave). It made me realise that until now there simply haven’t been many young women, or women in general, who have become mayors," Kawata told Reuters.

Her decision highlights Japan's persistent gender gap, particularly in its male-dominated political landscape. Japan ranks poorly in global gender gap reports, especially in political empowerment. Kawata believes significant reforms are needed to encourage women, especially those in leadership roles, to have children, which is crucial for addressing the nation's low birth rate and potential economic decline.

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People talk about gender equality and work-style reform, but we need to build a society in which people, across all professions, including among those in leadership roles, do not hesitate to have children. Otherwise, I believe continual population decline resulting from falling birth rates, and the resulting economic deterioration are inevitable.

While most local residents and her colleagues support her decision, Kawata expressed disappointment over online criticism suggesting she was neglecting her duties. Her baby is due in September. She hopes her actions will contribute to building a society where professionals, including leaders, feel comfortable having children. The mayor's actions come as Japan grapples with one of the world's lowest birth rates, a demographic challenge with profound economic implications.

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People who had never heard of me before only learned about me through reports focusing on the maternity leave. Some people criticised me online, suggesting that I wasn’t doing my job and was just there to take maternity leave. That was disappointing.