Shoko Kawata, Japan’s first mayor to take maternity leave, named among TIME100 Next figures

Shoko Kawata, the mayor of Yawata in Kyoto Prefecture and the first mayor in Japan to take maternity leave, has been included in TIME magazine’s TIME100 Next list, which selects 100 people with influence and rising potential.

The 36-year-old became a mother for the first time on September 15. Her decision to take maternity leave sparked a national debate in Japan over whether elected officials should be allowed to take time off after giving birth.

Some members of the public supported Kawata’s decision, while her opponents described her temporary departure from office as irresponsible.

Her supporters emphasized that pregnancy and parenthood should not exclude a woman from a political career. In their view, Kawata placed her family in an important role and created a model that could make political engagement more accessible to other women.

Critics argued that senior officials should continue performing their duties or resign if they are unable to fulfill their responsibilities. Some also called for their salaries to be reduced during their leave.

In an interview with the BBC conducted before giving birth, Kawata dismissed these criticisms. She said she intends to continue her political career while also building her family.

The mayor warned that judging female politicians when they take maternity leave could lead to women of childbearing age being excluded from public office.

“I want to confront the many challenges faced by parents and children today from the same perspective, as someone who is experiencing them herself,” she said.

In Japan, elected local officials are not covered by the same legal framework that guarantees local government employees the right to maternity leave.

To address this issue, Kawata drew up a special agreement together with her office. For 16 weeks, her powers were delegated to Deputy Mayor Shigeto Nose.

The plan also provided for Kawata to work remotely whenever possible.

On September 15, she announced the birth of her daughter in a post on the social media platform X and thanked everyone who had supported her. Kawata added that her new experience as a mother would also influence how she addresses social issues.