Kyoto mayor back at work after what's believed to be a first: maternity leave

A fresh start, and a full desk. Shoko Kawada, the mayor of Yawata, a city in Kyoto Prefecture, went back to official duties on 9 November after taking maternity leave.

It is believed to be the first time a sitting mayor in Japan has taken maternity leave, which makes her return a small milestone for local politics.

Her first words back

Kawada said she is happy to be able to throw herself into work with a fresh mindset. "From today, I want to move the city's administration forward again as a team together with our staff," she said.

The message was about teamwork. She framed her return as a restart alongside the city employees who kept things running while she was away.

For now, that is what has been confirmed: she is back at her post, and she says the focus is on working with her team.