Why Japan's Female Mayor's Maternity Leave Sparked National Debate Over Gender Equality

On July 3, the maternity leave announcement by Shoko Kawata, a 35-year-old mayor of Yawata in Kyoto Prefecture, ignited nationwide debate. She plans to take two months off before and two months after delivering her baby in mid-September.

Although Japanese law has no framework supporting maternity leave for locally elected officials, Kawata delegated her duties to deputy mayor Shigeto Nosé. She became Japan's first female municipal mayor to take parental leave while serving in office.

The decision drew both praise and fierce criticism on social media. Supporters viewed her as a role model for balancing family and professional responsibility, and argued Japan needs better systems for pregnant women. Critics contended that a leader stepping back from duty is inappropriate, with some suggesting she should resign or have her salary reduced during the leave.

Shoko Kawata, 35, Mayor of Yawata, Kyoto Prefecture

Gender Inequality Problem

Kawata stands firm in her decision, noting that if society penalizes female politicians for taking maternity leave, it effectively bars reproductive-age women from entering politics. She hopes her case marks the beginning of a society where women can simultaneously be leaders and mothers.

Kawata's situation starkly reflects gender inequality in Japan's political sphere. Only about 4% of the roughly 1,720 local government administrators are women. Japan also ranks 118th out of 146 nations on the World Economic Forum's 2025 gender gap index—the lowest among G7 countries.

Deputy Mayor Shigeto Nosé, 62, who will assume full responsibility during Kawata's leave, acknowledged that he never took parental leave himself and left almost all childcare burden to his wife. Seeing his son-in-law take six months off to help care for his child has made Nosé realize society's values are shifting.

Source: BBC Reported by the Sanook Online News Team

This article provides a comprehensive guide to the Laotian Pattana Lottery results for July 3, 2569, including all prize categories and winning numbers. The lottery is operated by the state enterprise Pattana Lottery Company under oversight of the Lao Ministry of Finance and represents the country's legal government lottery system.

Prize categories include 6-digit numbers, 5-digit numbers, last 4 digits, last 3 digits, and last 2 digits. The article explains payout rates: 4-digit winners receive 6,000 times their ticket value, 3-digit winners receive 500 times, and 2-digit winners receive 60 times their investment.

The Pattana Lottery draws occur Monday through Friday at 8:00 PM Thailand time, with the 5/45 format drawing on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Results are broadcast via Lao National Radio and Lao National Television Channel 1. The system also includes unique local variations such as dream number lotteries (4/40) and animal name number games specific to Laos. The article includes references to lottery results from late June through early July 2569.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin has ordered the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants to accelerate rehabilitation of the area following the demolition of the illegal forest-encroaching "Rai Rak Fah" resort within Erawan National Park in Sri Sawat District, Kanchanaburi Province. The site will be developed as an eco-tourism destination allowing public access to nature, with all work conducted strictly according to national park regulations.

Following enforcement action against the resort for illegally occupying protected parkland, Suchart instructed the department to expedite landscape improvements and enhance tourist safety standards. He emphasized that all development steps must comply with laws and national park procedures to ensure proper and sustainable results.

Suchart stated the area has high tourism potential and will be developed into "Erawan Nakhonrinchit Viewpoint," one of the most beautiful scenic overlooks. Visitors will enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of Srinagarinda Dam encircled by verdant mountains, along with morning mist atmospherics and golden sunset light.

The minister stressed the development will balance tourism with conservation, avoiding large permanent structures that disturb nature. Instead, it will employ environmentally-friendly landscaping materials consistent with the original forest, with clearly defined use areas to prevent ecosystem damage. This will allow the reclaimed forest to fully restore its watershed and wildlife habitat functions.

Public access will operate under strict safety protocols, including an information center staffed continuously for visitor guidance, increased park ranger patrols coordinated with local police, designated nature study trails and safe photography points, and clear warning signs to prevent accidents and visitor mishaps.

"Converting an encroached area into a natural tourism destination must be done carefully according to procedures so the public can trust this is a safe, orderly, and sustainably beautiful space for everyone," Suchart concluded.

Germany and Poland jointly dismantle international drug trafficking network, seizing nearly 1.2 tons of cannabis worth approximately 12 million euros, or over 456 million baht, hidden inside shipping containers filled with bricks.

The smuggling route originated in Thailand, passed through Hamburg port in Germany, and was destined for Poland. International drug trafficking groups concealed massive quantities of narcotics using seemingly legitimate commercial shipments, hiding cannabis inside brick-filled shipping containers. This seizure demonstrates how criminal networks increasingly exploit commercial shipping routes and international supply chains.

Of eight suspects arrested, six remain in custody awaiting trial. Authorities report investigations are proceeding intensively, with expectations of revealing additional details about the network's structure and other participants as the multi-country investigation advances.

On July 3, 2025, police in Kok Samrong district, Lopburi province, received a report of a death inside a sedan parked near a water reservoir in Huay Pong. Officers arrived with forensic technicians, on-duty doctors, and rescue personnel to investigate. The car was positioned facing the reservoir with a woman's body on the driver's seat and a dog beside her. Both were deceased. Inside the vehicle, police found six farewell letters and an urn containing the remains of the woman's deceased mother on the back seat. Preliminary examination revealed no signs of violence, and authorities suspect death by asphyxiation. The body was taken to Kok Samrong Hospital for autopsy.

Local residents reported the vehicle had been parked at the reservoir since the evening of July 2, 2025. On the morning of July 3, a local villager who came to graze cattle noticed the car still in the same position and became suspicious. Upon checking, he found the woman and dog dead inside and immediately notified authorities.

Relatives who arrived at the scene identified the deceased as a 47-year-old schoolteacher with a medical history of depression and multiple previous suicide attempts. The six farewell letters corresponded with her mental health struggles. Family members expressed no suspicions regarding the death. Police documented the scene, interviewed witnesses, and collected evidence. The body was sent to the Institute of Forensic Medicine for a formal autopsy to determine the precise cause of death.

At 4:22 p.m. on July 3, 2025, at Government House, Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittarat Panpetch addressed the resignation of Pol. Lt. Gen. Dr. Thaveesil Vechvitarn, former chief physician at the Police Hospital, who formally submitted his resignation to pursue justice in the level-14 legal case of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. When asked if they had discussed the matter, the police chief said they had not spoken at all. Asked whether politics was involved, he simply stated "there's nothing to it." When questioned whether the resignation stemmed from disappointment over not being considered for promotion to Deputy Police Commissioner, Pol. Gen. Kittarat did not answer and immediately left.