Kyoto’s Yawata Mayor Gives Birth to Baby Girl; Said to Be 1st Sitting Mayor to Take Maternity Leave
Shoko Kawata, mayor of Yawata City in Kyoto Prefecture, gave birth to a baby girl, the city announced on Wednesday.
Mayor Shoko Kawata of Yawata City, Kyoto Prefecture, has given birth to a baby girl, according to the city's announcement on Wednesday. This marks a historic moment as Kawata is believed to be the first sitting mayor in Japan to take maternity leave. Both the newborn and the mayor are reported to be in good health. In a statement, Kawata expressed her gratitude to the supporters, city hall staff who covered her duties during her absence, and all those involved in the process.
Local government heads in Japan are not covered by the Labor Standards Law, so Kawata is utilizing the provisions of the Local Autonomy Law. This law states that the deputy mayor assumes duties in cases of "emergency." Kawata had previously announced that she would take eight weeks of maternity leave, starting from July 20. Following her return, she intends to attend major events while maintaining a "flexible" work schedule, which includes the possibility of working from home instead of taking parental leave.
Written by urgent.news from The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
