🔻Shuko Kawata, Japan’s first female mayor, who has gone on maternity leave, has been named by Time magazine to the list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2026.

This selection came a few weeks after the 36-year-old woman went on maternity leave on 24 Shahrivar / 15 September to give birth to her first child. Before this, there was a public debate in Japan earlier this year about whether elected officials should take maternity leave or not.

Her decision to use maternity leave sparked a range of reactions across Japan, from criticism to support. Japan is a country that faces challenges in increasing its birth rate. In an interview before her childbirth with the BBC, Ms. Kawata ignored these criticisms and proudly announced that she enjoys her job and believes this is a good time to have children and start a family.

She added: “If we are going to criticize politicians who take maternity leave, then we have effectively barred all women aged 20 to 40 from holding public office.”

📸BBC