Japan’s first mayor to take maternity leave lands on TIME100 list.
Japan’s first mayor to grant herself maternity leave – 36‑year‑old Shoko Kawata of Yawata City, Kyoto – has been named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential rising stars.
The accolade follows the birth of her first child on September 15, a development that launched a heated national conversation about whether elected officials should have the same family‑leave rights as everyday workers.
Supporters on social media hailed the move as “a wonderful example of putting family first” and a potential catalyst for more women to enter public office. Critics condemned her absence as “irresponsible”, urged resignations during extended leave, and called for salary cuts while she was away.
In a pre‑birth interview with the BBC, Kawata dismissed the backlash, noting that “if we criticise politicians taking maternity leave, we are effectively excluding all women in their 20s through 40s […] from public office.” She explained that Japan provides maternity leave for city employees but lacks a formal framework for elected officials. Accordingly, she transferred her responsibilities to deputy mayor Shigeto Nose for 16 weeks while remaining available remotely.
Following her birth, Kawata posted a photo on X, thanking supporters and reaffirming her commitment to advocate for social issues across the country. She wrote: “As I face the countless challenges that lie ahead and learn what it truly means to be a parent, I want to reflect those experiences in real‑time into the policies I pursue.” She added that she will "confront the many challenges facing parents and children today from that same perspective."
The mayor’s decision has reignited discussions about Japan’s struggling birth rate and the need for gender‑equitable policies, as well as the broader question of how public office can adapt to modern family realities.
Source: BBC News, 2 hours ago.
