Shoko Kawata, the mayor of Yawata, took maternity leave, which revealed a lack of support for elected women. She became the first sitting mayor in Japan to take maternity leave, challenging traditional views on leadership. Her leave included 16 weeks split before and after her daughter’s birth, with a designated deputy mayor. This decision led to her recognition on TIME’s 2026 TIME100 Next list, highlighting her impact on societal norms.
