A mayor in Japan announced her maternity leave – and got the whole country talking

Although there is statutory maternity and paternity leave – which guarantees time off and partial income compensation – not everyone takes it.

Women can get six weeks before their due date and eight weeks after giving birth. Fathers get up to four weeks of flexible paid leave within eight weeks of a child’s birth.

Both parents are also entitled to childcare leave until the child turns one, during which eligible employees receive 67% of their wages for the first 180 days and 50% thereafter. Since April 2025, some parents can receive more support for the first 28 days if both parents take leave.

“I do think many people are watching to see how situations like this – when a woman gives birth while serving as a mayor – can be handled in practice,” Deputy Mayor Shigeto Nose says.

The 62-year-old father-of-two is set to exercise all mayoral authority during Kawata’s absence, discussing major matters with her remotely once a week.

He never took any parental leave himself and left virtually all of the childcare to his wife. “When I came home, I was tired. Even if the baby cried during the night, I left it to my wife. Looking back now, I genuinely feel that’s something I should reflect on.”

Now, his son-in-law is taking six months off work to help his daughter take care of their second child. “Seeing that makes me happy. Times have really changed and it’s great to see them working together like that.”

Kawata says part of the criticism against her stems from the strongly held belief that those in certain positions – like public office – must abandon their private life and devote themselves entirely to the people.

When asked what her future child will think about the attention surrounding her pregnancy, she says: “I really hope they will be surprised.”

“I think we really need to create a society where it’s so common for women to do both – and not have to choose between working and having a family.”