Youngest Female Mayor in Kyoto Prefecture

In a surprising turn of events, Shoko Kawata, a 33-year-old former social worker, has emerged victorious in the mayoral election for Yawata, Kyoto Prefecture, making her the youngest female mayor in Japan. Despite lacking direct ties to the city and facing criticism for her public speaking skills, Kawata secured the win on November 12, surpassing two other candidates in the race for leadership in the city of approximately 70,000 residents, situated south of Kyoto.

A graduate of Kyoto University’s economics faculty, Kawata’s interest in politics was sparked during her senior high school years, driven by the challenges her family faced in obtaining educational support for her younger brother, who has an intellectual disability. Drawing on her background as a case worker for public assistance in the Kyoto city government, Kawata expressed her motivation to address societal issues through political avenues.

Supported by a coalition of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, junior partner Komeito, and the main opposition party Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, Kawata’s candidacy gained traction when Fumiaki Horiguchi, the previous mayor, resigned due to health reasons. Horiguchi highlighted Kawata’s experience in social welfare despite her youth, paving the way for her nomination.

Although initially facing skepticism for her lack of community ties and public speaking skills, Kawata’s dedication to Yawata and her eagerness to contribute won support from Akiko Santo, an LDP Upper House member and former Diet chamber president. Santo, acknowledging Kawata’s relative unknown status, urged citizens to rally behind her, emphasizing her genuine love for the city.

Kawata, utilizing her advantage of youth, engaged with the community through meetings facilitated by municipal assembly members from the supporting parties. Drawing from her experiences as a case worker, she highlighted the challenges faced by neglected children and overworked child consultation centers in Kyoto.

Kawata’s youth became a campaign asset as she connected with young mothers, fostering discussions on community improvement. Her triumph in the mayoral election marks a significant milestone, showcasing a fresh and unconventional approach to leadership in Japanese local politics.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The Asahi news