A
mayor in Japan’s Kyoto Prefecture has announced plans to take maternity leave
later this year, marking what is believed to be the first time a sitting mayor
in the country has done so while in office.
Shoko
Kawata, the 35-year-old mayor of Yawata city, said Thursday that she will begin
maternity leave during the summer ahead of the birth of her first child in
mid-September.
According
to the city government, Kawata is currently the youngest mayor in Japan and the
first serving mayor known to formally take maternity leave after assuming
office.
Kawata,
who married in December last year, plans to take six to eight weeks of leave
before giving birth and an additional eight weeks of partial leave afterward.
During her absence, Yawata’s deputy mayor will temporarily carry out the
responsibilities of acting mayor.
“I’m
surprised to hear that this will be the first case of a mayor taking maternity
leave after taking office,” Kawata told reporters. “I’m making arrangements to
avoid affecting city administration or the implementation of my campaign
pledges.”
The
announcement has sparked nationwide discussion about work-life balance, gender
equality and expectations placed on women in Japanese politics.
Japan
has long struggled with low female representation in political leadership,
while workplace culture in both the public and private sectors has often been
criticized for discouraging women from balancing careers with family life.
Kawata
said she intends to remain involved in city affairs during her leave by receiving
updates online and maintaining communication with officials.
After
giving birth, she plans to continue working through shorter hours and remote
arrangements rather than appointing an acting mayor again.
Political
observers say the move could become a symbolic moment for younger generations
of female leaders in Japan, where discussions about parental leave and flexible
work arrangements have gained momentum in recent years.
Kawata
was elected mayor of Yawata in November 2023 as an independent candidate, winning
her first mayoral race.
Before
entering politics, she worked for the Kyoto city government and later served as
a secretary to a member of Japan’s House of Councillors after graduating from
Kyoto University.
—
AloJapan.com