Japan PM Sanae Takaichi says ‘zero to three hours’ sleep has become the norm

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has said that she spent Japan’s three-day Marine Day holiday reviewing government policy documents, completing household chores and catching up on sleep, renewing attention on Japan’s long-standing debate over work-life balance and workplace culture.

In a post on X on Monday, Takaichi wrote that she had used the holiday to review policy documents and complete domestic tasks, including ironing and sewing. She added that she had managed to sleep for five hours “for the first time in a while”, saying that since taking office, “getting zero to three hours of sleep has become the norm.”

“I can work hard again from tomorrow!” she concluded.

The post sparked a discussion among politicians and the public over work-life balance and expectations surrounding Japan’s work culture. Some argued that the prime minister’s remarks reflected an unhealthy approach to work, while others defended her commitment to public service.

Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, told a press conference on Tuesday that “resting is part of her job” and questioned whether Takaichi should instead devote her time to decisions and responsibilities that only the prime minister could undertake.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara defended Takaichi on Wednesday, stating that she understood the importance of work-life balance and was making decisions “for the good of the nation and the people.”

Takaichi has consistently presented herself as a politician willing to work long hours. After being elected president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in October, she said she would “abandon the phrase ‘work-life balance'” and would “work, work, work, work and keep on working”. She also urged party members to “work like workhorses”.

In November, she told an Upper House Budget Committee session that she typically slept about two hours a night. During the same month, she drew attention after summoning aides to the Prime Minister’s official residence at 3 a.m. to prepare for a Budget Committee session.