Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi Sparks Debate Over Severe Sleep Deprivation

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sparked a national debate on work culture after disclosing on X that she typically sleeps between zero and three hours per night. Takaichi stated that this schedule became the norm after she took office in October, as she spends her nights studying official documents, such as the Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform, and processing thousands of emails. She noted that during a three-day weekend ending July 20, she managed five hours of sleep, which allowed her to catch up on ironing and sewing.

Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, criticized Takaichi's approach, arguing that resting is part of the job and that she should delegate tasks to ensure she can make important decisions with a fresh mind. While Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Ayano Kunimitsu defended the prime minister's circumstances, other Liberal Democratic Party members suggested Takaichi requires more reliable assistants.

The controversy has reignited discussions regarding karoshi, or death from overwork, in Japan. Critics highlighted that Takaichi previously urged party members to work like horses and instructed the labor minister to examine easing overtime restrictions. This disclosure comes as the government finalizes a major economic roadmap involving over 370 trillion yen in investment.