Prime Minister's comments on intense work schedule spark concern in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent social media post, detailing her intense work schedule and minimal sleep, has ignited a national conversation about work-life balance and the potential dangers of sleep deprivation.

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a full five hours of sleep for the first time in a long time

Takaichi, who spent a public holiday catching up on thousands of emails and policy documents, stated she managed to squeeze in " a full five hours of sleep for the first time in a long time," contrasting it with her usual "zero to three hours." She also mentioned using her limited free time to iron underwear, mend a skirt, and sew buttons onto jackets, seemingly aiming to portray herself as a dedicated, down-to-earth leader.

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impairs judgment – similar to being drunk – and could pose a risk to the nation in an emergency

However, her post, which garnered over 31 million views, has drawn sharp criticism from opposition lawmakers. Toru Kunishige warned that prolonged sleep deprivation "impairs judgment – similar to being drunk – and could pose a risk to the nation in an emergency." Hiroyuki Konishi, another critic, demanded her resignation, arguing that a prime minister's role is to set policy, not to micromanage.

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The real job of the prime minister is to set policy and give orders, not to pore over every single detail in documents.

Even Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of a populist conservative party, acknowledged Takaichi's diligence but added, "Resting is also work." The debate underscores concerns about the demanding work culture in Japan and its potential impact on leadership effectiveness.

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Resting is also work.