Japan PM's sleep habits spark debate on extreme work culture

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent comments about sleeping only three hours a night have ignited a fierce debate in Japan over the nation's notorious work culture. Takaichi revealed on social media platform X that she had been averaging between zero and three hours of sleep per night since October, juggling government documents and household chores. She noted that during a recent long weekend, she managed five hours of sleep, calling it a rare occurrence.

“

sleeping from zero to three hours a night had become the norm

Her remarks have drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures. Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the opposition, stated that rest is an integral part of a prime minister's job and advised Takaichi to delegate responsibilities to focus on critical decisions. Another opposition member likened severe sleep deprivation to a state of intoxication, questioning its impact on governance. Toru Kunishige of the Centrist Reform Alliance warned on X that prolonged lack of sleep could "compromise judgment and threaten the management of national crises."

“

rest is part of the job

While a few social media users defended Takaichi's dedication, many criticized her. Comments included, "Showing how hard you work won't earn you consensus," and "Hire someone for household chores." However, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara defended the prime minister, denying that her statements contradicted the government's work-hour reform policies. Takayuki Kobayashi, a senior politician from the ruling party, acknowledged the "extraordinary" workload but mentioned advising Takaichi to sleep more, adding that she remains energetic.

“

compromise judgment and threaten the management of national crises

Observers suggest the incident raises significant questions about Japan's demanding work model, a system the government itself is attempting to rectify. The controversy underscores the persistent challenges in balancing intense work demands with personal well-being in the country.

“

Showing how hard you work won't earn you consensus