Japan's First Sitting Mayor Takes Maternity Leave

Shoko Kawata, the mayor of a small city in Japan called Yawata, is the first mayor in Japan to take maternity leave.

She is 33 years old and became the youngest female mayor in Japan in 2023.

Before she could take leave, she had to create a plan for the mayor's office because no such plan existed before.

She said she wants more women to feel comfortable having children while working in important jobs.

Some people support her, but others criticize her for taking leave and still getting her full pay.

Japan has a low birth rate and needs more people to have children to help the economy.

Kawata's baby is expected in September.