Shoko Kawada, the 36-year-old mayor of Yawata in Kyoto Prefecture, returned to public duties on the 9th after maternity leave believed to be the first taken by a sitting head of a local government in Japan, saying she hopes to show a way to balance the job with raising a child.
Kawada appeared before reporters at Iwashimizu-Hachimangu Station on the Keihan line on the morning of the 9th. "I will return to my duties from today and do my best," she said.
She first won office three years ago at 33, the youngest woman elected as a mayor in Japan. She drew attention again for taking maternity leave from July, which is believed to be a first for a sitting local government head.
At a press conference in May, Kawada said she wanted to aim for a society where people do not have to give up either work or family. She said she would prepare both personally and as head of the organization so that city government would not stop because she was away.
Mayors hold special-status posts, so the maternity leave provisions of the Labor Standards Act do not apply to them. Kawada instead followed city staff rules, taking eight weeks before and eight weeks after the birth, with the deputy mayor handling her duties in the meantime.
During her leave she joined online meetings about once a week and gave instructions on matters important to city policy.
Kawada gave birth to a girl in September. The 9th marked her return to public duties after about four months.
“I breastfed this morning before coming. It is lonely to be apart, but I was also really looking forward to work, so I want to give my all to both.”Shoko Kawada, Mayor of Yawata
Her first duty was publicizing fire prevention. Residents offered her words of encouragement as she worked.
“A girl or a boy?”a resident
“A girl.”Shoko Kawada, Mayor of Yawata
“How cute. Do your best.”the resident
“Thank you.”Shoko Kawada, Mayor of Yawata
"I don't want to leave a hole" in the work
At a press conference on the 9th, Kawada said children are very dear and she wants to spend as much time with them as possible and give them affection. She added that she also loves her work and does not want to leave a hole in it.
“I think I was able to show one style of balancing being a head of government with childbirth and child-rearing.”Shoko Kawada, Mayor of Yawata
Kawada said a strong belief persists that having a child and raising it is a private matter that causes trouble for work. She said Japan cannot confront its falling birthrate and aging population while that view remains a drag on careers.
“I am proud, together with all the city hall staff, that we achieved this without leaving a hole in the work by running things as a team.”Shoko Kawada, Mayor of Yawata