Shoko Kawata to Make History as First Japanese Mayor to Take Maternity Leave
When Shoko Kawata, the mayor of a small town in western Japan, announced she would be taking maternity leave, she anticipated some surprise. However, the response was far more intense and divided than she had expected.
The 35-year-old mayor has become the center of a national discussion on whether elected officials should take time off for childbirth in a country facing challenges in raising birth rates.
"I was so surprised because the reaction was so big," Kawata told the BBC.
Seated in a cushioned armchair in a fifth-floor meeting room at City Hall in Yawata, a town south of Kyoto known for its shrines and cherry trees, Kawata was accompanied by two older men, her deputies.
Currently, there is no legal framework allowing local elected officials to take official maternity leave. As a result, Kawata will not be on official maternity leave but has delegated her duties temporarily to her deputy, Shigeto Nose.
Kawata stated that her colleagues were supportive of her decision, but public reaction was mixed.
She announced her plans at a news conference in May, indicating she would take two months off before and two months after her mid-September due date, making her the first mayor in Japan to take maternity leave.
At her workplace, where the average age is 39, Kawata said everyone was supportive.
However, public opinion expressed through thousands of posts on X (formerly Twitter) and several YouTube videos was divided.
Some supporters acknowledged the difficulties of childbirth and praised Kawata for doing her best, noting that Japanese society has not adequately designed systems to accommodate pregnancy.
Others commended her for setting an example by prioritizing family and making it easier for women to enter politics.
Conversely, critics labeled her decision as "irresponsible," suggesting that if she intended to become pregnant, it should have been before taking office. Some argued that officials seeking extended leave should resign, while others insisted that salaries should be reduced during maternity leave.
Perspectives on Maternity Leave in Politics
Kawata has dismissed the criticism, expressing pride in her job and affirming that now is the right time for her to start a family.
"If we were to criticise politicians taking maternity leave, it means we are effectively excluding all women in their 20s through 40s - women who are capable of becoming pregnant - from public office."
Shinji Ishimaru, former mayor of Akitakata city in Hiroshima prefecture, emphasized that the key issue is ensuring that official duties are maintained during maternity leave.
He suggested on his YouTube channel that while maternity leave is generally supported, this case should prompt constructive discussions on solutions that do not disrupt municipal operations.
Yawata, located near Kyoto, is renowned for one of Japan's top shrines and a notable 1.4-kilometre (0.9 mile) stretch of cherry trees.
Kawata became Japan's youngest-ever female city mayor at age 33. She graduated from Kyoto University with a degree in economics before pursuing a career in local government and politics. Her official profile notes interests including tea ceremonies, wearing kimonos, and visiting shrines and temples.
She has advanced in a predominantly male political environment. As of last year, only about 4% of Japan's 1,720 municipal leaders were women.
Although Japan may now have its first female prime minister, the government has faced criticism for insufficient efforts to encourage more women into politics.
Some attribute this to the male-dominated cabinet and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has governed Japan for much of the post-war period.
A Cabinet Office survey released in July 2025 identified several barriers to women's political participation: pregnancy, the perception that politics is a man's domain, and harassment.
Japan is the world's fourth-largest economy but consistently ranks low on the gender gap index. The World Economic Forum's most recent report, published in June 2025, placed Japan 118th out of 146 countries, making it the lowest-ranking G7 nation for gender equality.
Kawata has delegated her deputy to act on her behalf during her four weeks of leave.
While statutory maternity and paternity leave exists—guaranteeing time off and partial income compensation—not all eligible individuals take it.
Women are entitled to six weeks of leave before their due date and eight weeks after childbirth. Fathers can take up to four weeks of flexible paid leave within eight weeks of the child's birth.
Both parents may also take childcare leave until the child turns one, during which eligible employees receive 67% of their wages for the first 180 days and 50% thereafter. Since April 2025, additional support is available for the first 28 days if both parents take leave.
Deputy Mayor Shigeto Nose commented on the situation:
"I do think many people are watching to see how situations like this - when a woman gives birth while serving as a mayor - can be handled in practice."
The 62-year-old father of two will exercise full mayoral authority during Kawata's absence and plans to discuss major matters with her remotely once a week.
Nose has not taken parental leave himself and historically left childcare responsibilities to his wife.
"When I came home, I was tired. Even if the baby cried during the night, I left it to my wife. Looking back now, I genuinely feel that's something I should reflect on."
He noted that his son-in-law is currently taking six months off work to assist with caring for their second child.
"Seeing that makes me happy. Times have really changed and it's great to see them working together like that."
Kawata believes some criticism arises from the deeply held expectation that public officials must sacrifice their private lives to fully serve the public.
Asked about what her future child might think about the attention surrounding her pregnancy, she said:
"I really hope they will be surprised."
She added:
"I think we really need to create a society where it's so common for women to do both - and not have to choose between working and having a family."
