Japan’s youngest female mayor makes history by taking maternity leave while in office

A Japanese city mayor is making history by taking maternity leave while in office. Thirty-five-year-old Shoko Kawata, mayor of Yawata since 2023, is the first sitting mayor in Japan to do so. She is six months pregnant and took 16 weeks off, starting on July 19. The move has drawn support from many residents, but also criticism online. Kawata says her case shows Japan still needs better gender equality and more work-life balance reforms.