‘I didn’t expect it to be so controversial’: the Japanese mayor who took maternity leave

The Guardian UK Thursday 18 June 2026, 03:46 UTC By Kim Kahan in Tokyo 1 min read

Key Points

Shoko Kawata’s decision to take time off to have a baby – an unprecedented step for a mayor – has sparked weeks of debate inside JapanIn many other nations, no one would blink an eye. But when Japanese mayor Shoko Kawata announced she was taking maternity leave, her decision made headline news, spawned opinion polls and sparked a national debate. And that debate is still unfolding in Japan, ever since she revealed her decision in May.

Shoko Kawata’s decision to take time off to have a baby – an unprecedented step for a mayor – has sparked weeks of debate inside Japan

In many other nations, no one would blink an eye. But when Japanese mayor Shoko Kawata announced she was taking maternity leave, her decision made headline news, spawned opinion polls and sparked a national debate.

And that debate is still unfolding in Japan, ever since she revealed her decision in May. On Monday, she told the assembly in the western city of Yawata she was confident her deputy could run things smoothly while she was away.

Japanese (ORG) Shoko Kawata’s (PERSON) JapanIn (LOCATION) Shoko Kawata (PERSON) Japan (LOCATION) Yawata (ORG)

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‘I didn’t expect it to be so controversial’: the Japanese mayor who took maternity leave

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