In 2023, Kawata was elected mayor of a Japanese city with a population of approximately 69,000, becoming the youngest female mayor in the country at age 33. She announced plans to start a family shortly after taking office.
As she prepared for maternity leave, Kawata discovered there was no official procedure for mayors in Japan to take such leave. While city employees are guaranteed 16 weeks of maternity leave, a similar structure did not exist for mayors. This lack of policy surprised Kawata, prompting her to effectively create a mechanism for her leave.
Before going on leave, she participated in a traditional ceremony ahead of the Taiko Festival. Due to her pregnancy, she opted out of her typical ceremonial role of riding in a portable Shinto shrine and chose to walk behind the procession instead.
Kawata expressed that her colleagues and the majority of residents in Yawata supported her decision. However, following her announcement, she faced significant backlash online.
“People who had never heard of me before only learned about me through news of my maternity leave. Some claimed I was neglecting my duties and simply taking time off,” Kawata remarked.
Criticism also stemmed from the fact that the mayor would continue to receive her full salary during her leave. One local resident told Reuters that while she supports women’s rights to give birth and take leave, she disagrees with the idea of paying Kawata her full salary during this period.
Kawata believes her situation highlights the urgent need for reforms. She asserted that Japanese society must create an environment where individuals in all professions, including leaders, are not afraid to start families.
“Much is said about gender equality and labor reforms. However, we need to build a society where people in leadership positions do not hesitate to have children. Otherwise, continuous population decline due to falling birth rates and the associated economic deterioration is inevitable,” she emphasized.
Context
- According to the World Economic Forum, cited by Reuters, Japan ranks 118th out of 148 countries in gender equality and 125th in women’s political representation.
