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Story summary
- Mayor Shoko Kawata of Yawata City will start maternity leave in September 2026, Japan’s first incumbent female local-government head to do so, with Deputy Mayor Shigeto Nose acting as mayor.
- She will take prenatal and postnatal leave while joining meetings online and staying reachable by phone and email.
- About 60% of online commenters defended her, while criticism from Air Self-Defense Force chief Toshio Tamogami sparked backlash from 72% of respondents.
