Shoko Kawata, the mayor of Yawata in western Japan, began maternity leave on Monday, becoming the first sitting mayor in the country to do so. Kawata, 33, was elected in 2023 as the youngest female mayor in Japanese history. Because no protocol existed for a mayor to take such leave, Kawata established new guidelines for the position before her baby's expected arrival in September.
Under the new protocol, Kawata will receive 100% of her salary during her leave. While Yawata city employees are guaranteed 16 weeks of maternity leave, Japanese women generally are entitled to approximately 14 weeks at two-thirds pay. Kawata stated that she hopes her decision encourages work-style reforms to address Japan's declining birth rate and gender imbalance in leadership roles.
The decision has received mixed reactions. While Kawata reported that local residents and colleagues have been supportive, some critics online questioned if taking leave was compatible with her duties. A local resident interviewed by Reuters expressed support for the right to take leave but disagreed with the mayor receiving her full salary while away from the office.
Japan currently ranks 118th out of 146 countries in the World Economic Forum's gender gap report. The country has one of the lowest birth rates globally, leading to significant demographic and economic concerns for the national government.