In Tokushima, Sawako Naito made history by becoming the youngest female mayor in Japan in 2020, but her term was marred by unfounded rumors and confrontations, leading her to make the decision not to run for re-election. Throughout her tenure, Naito faced unjust criticism, such as false claims about her personal life, which took a toll on her well-being and caused her significant distress due to her gender and age being factors in the attacks she faced.
Despite the challenges she endured, Naito remained committed to her work as a female politician, aiming to inspire other women to enter politics and pursue leadership roles. Throughout her term, she sought support and camaraderie among other women in male-dominated fields by sharing experiences and empowering each other, with a focus on women's empowerment and community development. Naito's decision to not seek a second term was influenced by the divisive nature of politics in Tokushima, where she found herself unwilling to engage in confrontational structures and desired to pursue her goals independently rather than being drawn into unnecessary political battles.