Japanese Mayor Shoko Kawata’s Historic Maternity Leave

In Yawata, Japan, Mayor Shoko Kawata has made history as the first sitting mayor in the country to take maternity leave. This milestone has sparked debate domestically and attracted international media scrutiny. Leading a city with approximately 69,000 residents, Kawata became Japan’s youngest female mayor in 2023 at age 33.

Though city employees in Yawata are entitled to 16 weeks of maternity leave, no such policy was in place for the mayoral role. Kawata had to establish a protocol for herself. “I was shocked to discover I am the first mayor to take maternity leave,” she stated. “This highlights the lack of young women, or women in general, serving as mayors in the past.”

Her last public act before going on leave was participating in a street procession for Yawata’s Taiko festival. Unlike the tradition of riding atop the mikoshi, a Shinto shrine, Kawata, visibly pregnant, walked behind it.

Japan, despite electing its first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, last year, faces a persistent gender gap, particularly in politics. In the World Economic Forum’s gender gap report, Japan ranked 118th out of 148 countries and 125th concerning political empowerment.

Kawata emphasized the need for reforms, especially to address Japan’s low birth rates. Women in Japan typically have legal rights to about 14 weeks of maternity leave with two-thirds pay and a birth bonus, although government workers may receive additional benefits.

“We talk about gender equality and work-style reform, but society needs to support people in all professions, even leadership roles, who want to have children. If not, we risk population decline and economic challenges,” said Kawata.

While Kawata received encouragement from colleagues and many local residents, she also faced criticism, particularly online. Critics voiced concerns about her dedication to her role, claiming her actions were self-serving. “It was disappointing to be judged by people who only learned about me through media coverage of my leave,” she remarked.

Many Yawata residents expressed support for Kawata’s decision. Still, opinions varied on her full salary entitlement during leave. Local resident Chie Fujita, a homemaker, expressed mixed feelings. “As a woman, I believe in the right to maternity leave, but I disagree with her receiving the full salary while she’s on leave,” Fujita commented.