Shoko Kawata, Japan's youngest female mayor, has made history by becoming the first sitting mayor in the country to take maternity leave. Elected in 2023 at the age of 33, Kawata's decision is being seen as a landmark moment in a nation where women continue to face significant workplace and political barriers. The move has sparked conversations about gender equality, work-life balance, and the challenges faced by working mothers in Japan. This report looks at why Kawata's decision is drawing national attention and what it could mean for the future of women in leadership.

Kawata Defies Traditional Norms: Becomes First Japanese Mayor To Avail Maternity Leave

<p>The mayor of a Japanese city was forced to apologise after the administration distributed flyers telling pregnant women how to please their husbands after becoming mothers.</p>

<p>According to CNN report, the pamphlets asked pregnant women to prepare lunch, give massages and have a smile on their face to keep their husbands happy.</p>

<p>These controversial flyers were distributed across Onomichi city in Japan’s Hiroshima prefecture. They were made after a public survey was conducted in 2017, the city government’s website stated.</p>

<h2><strong>600 pamphlets distributed&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Around 600 such pamphlets titled, “From an experienced dad to you”, were sent to women who were in the seventh month of their pregnancy. The distribution started in 2018.</p>

<p>They included the top three responses given by experienced fathers in the 2017 survey. The questions ranged from “words my wife said that made me happy” to “things I wish my wife would do for me,” reported the Japanese newspaper The Mainichi.</p>

<p>The matter came to light after the local media reported earlier this week about the “misogynistic” fliers, following which netizens expressed outrage on social media. The local government started getting phone calls and email complaints about the material.</p>

<h2><strong>Japan records its steepest population decline</strong></h2>

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<h2><strong>Mayor apologises</strong></h2>

<p>On July 25, Mayor Yukihiro Hiratani issued an apology saying that the pamphlets “do not match the sentiments of pregnant women, women in labour, and others involved in child-rearing. The content that made many people feel uncomfortable.”</p>

<p>He added that the local government had stopped the distribution because they “contain expressions that promote attitudes and practices that stereotype gender roles.”</p>

<p>These problematic flyers stated, “There are differences in the way men and women feel and think.”</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/new-fairyflying-trend-in-tiktok-showing-people-hanging-themselves-raises-concerns-in-us-620317">New TikTok trend #FairyFlying showing people hanging themselves raises concerns in US</a></p>

<p>“One of the reasons for this is the structural difference in the brains of men and women. It is known that men act based on theories, while women act based on emotions.”</p>

<p>“The important thing is to understand each others’ differences and divide roles well,” it added, before stating that husbands and new fathers like to be thanked for carrying out basic tasks such as washing the dishes, changing diapers, and holding their child.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-blue-whale-washed-ashore-in-andhra-praesh-amid-heavy-rains-620300">India: Blue whale washes ashore in Andhra Pradesh as state battles heavy rains</a></p>

<p>Wives may irritate their husbands if they are “busy taking care of the baby and not doing chores” the flyer said, advising women not to “get frustrated for no reason.”</p>

<p>It concluded that there are many things new mothers can do to please their husbands, including giving them massages, preparing their lunch every day, handling the childcare and housework, greeting them with a “welcome home,” and always having “a smile on her face.”</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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The mayor of a Japanese city was forced to apologise after the administration distributed flyers telling pregnant women how to please their husbands after becoming mothers.

The mayor of a Japanese city was forced to apologise after the administration distributed flyers telling pregnant women how to please their husbands after becoming mothers. According to CNN report, the pamphlets asked pregnant women to prepare lunch, give massages and have a smile on their face to keep their husbands happy. These controversial flyers were distributed across Onomichi city in Japan’s Hiroshima prefecture. They were made after a public survey was conducted in 2017, the city government’s website stated. 600 pamphlets distributed Around 600 such pamphlets titled, “From an experienced dad to you”, were sent to women who were in the seventh month of their pregnancy. The distribution started in 2018. They included the top three responses given by experienced fathers in the 2017 survey. The questions ranged from “words my wife said that made me happy” to “things I wish my wife would do for me,” reported the Japanese newspaper The Mainichi. The matter came to light after the local media reported earlier this week about the “misogynistic” fliers, following which netizens expressed outrage on social media. The local government started getting phone calls and email complaints about the material. Japan records its steepest population decline Mayor apologises On July 25, Mayor Yukihiro Hiratani issued an apology saying that the pamphlets “do not match the sentiments of pregnant women, women in labour, and others involved in child-rearing. The content that made many people feel uncomfortable.” He added that the local government had stopped the distribution because they “contain expressions that promote attitudes and practices that stereotype gender roles.” These problematic flyers stated, “There are differences in the way men and women feel and think.” Also read | New TikTok trend #FairyFlying showing people hanging themselves raises concerns in US “One of the reasons for this is the structural difference in the brains of men and women. It is known that men act based on theories, while women act based on emotions.” “The important thing is to understand each others’ differences and divide roles well,” it added, before stating that husbands and new fathers like to be thanked for carrying out basic tasks such as washing the dishes, changing diapers, and holding their child. Also read | India: Blue whale washes ashore in Andhra Pradesh as state battles heavy rains Wives may irritate their husbands if they are “busy taking care of the baby and not doing chores” the flyer said, advising women not to “get frustrated for no reason.” It concluded that there are many things new mothers can do to please their husbands, including giving them massages, preparing their lunch every day, handling the childcare and housework, greeting them with a “welcome home,” and always having “a smile on her face.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Japan: Mayor apologises for flyers advising pregnant woman to cook, clean & give massages to husbands

Osaka's Mayor in Japan, Ichiro Matsui said that men should shop for basic groceries amidst spread of Coronavirus pandemic as women take more time in buying groceries and spend more time outside than men. Osaka Mayor get slammed & criticised for this sexist remark.

Japanese Mayor: 'Men should shop amid COVID-19 outbreak as women take more time in buying groceries'

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Kawata Defies Traditional Norms: Becomes First Japanese Mayor To Avail Maternity Leave

Japan: Mayor apologises for flyers advising pregnant woman to cook, clean & give massages to husbands

Japanese Mayor: 'Men should shop amid COVID-19 outbreak as women take more time in buying groceries'