Shoko Kawata, Japan's first mayor to take maternity leave, has been named one of the 100 most influential rising stars by TIME Magazine.
The recognition comes weeks after Kawata, a 36‑year‑old mayor of Yawata City in Kyoto prefecture, gave birth to her first child on 15 September.
Earlier this year her decision to pause public duties for childbirth ignited a national debate about whether elected officials should be allowed to take maternity leave. The motion drew a mix of support and backlash across Japan, a nation grappling with low birth rates.
Some social media voices praised Kawata’s dedication to family and urged that the system should be more pregnant‑friendly. Others viewed the break as irresponsible, suggesting that officials who wish to start families should do so before assuming office or even resign if they want long‑term leave. A few even called for salary reductions during maternity leave.
Kawata addressed the criticism in a former interview with the BBC, stating that rejecting politicians who take maternity leave effectively excludes all women capable of pregnancy from public office. She explained that she enjoys her job and believes now is the right time to start a family. View the interview.
Japan provides maternity leave for city employees, but there is presently no legal framework covering local elected officials. To comply, Kawata delegated her duties to Deputy Mayor Shigeto Nose for 16 weeks, while working remotely when possible.
On 15 September Kawata posted on X that she had given birth to a baby girl, thanking supporters and reaffirming her commitment to social issues nationally. View the X post.
She added that she would bring her evolving experience as a parent to policy deliberations, aiming to find realistic solutions for the challenges affecting young families across Japan.
