Japan's First Male Mayor to Take Paternity Leave Recognised on TIME100 Next List

Shoko Kawata, who serves as mayor of Ikaruga in Nara prefecture, has been included in the prestigious TIME100 Next list. This recognition follows his move to take paternity leave in April, a decision that generated extensive discussion and polarised opinions across Japan.

The 39-year-old mayor’s choice to step away from his duties temporarily to support his wife after childbirth challenged traditional expectations in a country where long working hours and gendered divisions of labour remain prevalent. While some lauded Kawata’s initiative as a progressive step towards normalising paternal involvement and supporting family life, others, particularly within conservative circles, criticised it as an abandonment of his public responsibilities.

Japan continues to face a demographic crisis, with birth rates plummeting to record lows and an aging population placing strain on social and economic systems. Government efforts to encourage greater family support and increased parental leave uptake have seen limited success, partly due to persistent workplace cultures that often penalise those who prioritise family over work. Kawata's public stance has, however, brought renewed attention to these societal challenges.