According to the South China Morning PostYuka, now 37, told Japanese outlet Oricon News that she first noticed irregular periods at 13 but did not realize she was pregnant until her belly began to grow. At the time, she kept the news from her parents, hiding her condition with loose clothing and confiding only in a close friend.

“I did not know what to do. I felt anxious every morning,” she said. “I have always been optimistic, believing there is always a way to solve things.”

Her parents were shocked when they eventually learned the truth but supported her through prenatal care.

“No matter my age, my love for my child never changed from the moment I became a mother,” Yuka said.

With her family’s support, Yuka completed secondary school, worked part-time in a beauty salon while attending beauty school, and opened her own salon at 19. She raised her daughter alongside her career and emphasized communication in parenting.

“Do not just get angry with your child, educate them. Always try to see things from their perspective,” she said.

Now 23, her daughter has what Yuka describes as a “best friend” and “sister-like” bond with her, with the pair often bonding over beauty, fashion and lifestyle trends. Yuka has not disclosed any information about her daughter’s father.

After her daughter graduated from secondary school, the pair opened a maid cafe to fulfill her dream. According to Sports Chosunmaid cafes, which emerged from Japan’s anime and gaming culture in the early 2000s, feature waitresses dressed in Victorian-style maid outfits who provide companionship and emotional support, without physical contact.

According to Yuka, running the business has strengthened their relationship.

The mother and daughter’s story has stirred widespread debate on Japanese social media.

“Yuka became a mother while still a child herself. Even with family support, she must have faced unimaginable physical and emotional pain,” one comment read.

“I really admire this young mother. She took on the responsibility on her own and has cared for her daughter very well,” another wrote.

Others, however, urged caution: “We should not romanticise teenage motherhood. Yuka’s experience highlights the need for stronger protection mechanisms for minors.”

Japan’s age of consent, previously set at 13, was raised to 16 in 2023. Sexual activity with anyone under 13 carries a mandatory prison sentence of more than five years, regardless of consent.