Japanese Prime Minister Suga Sparks Debate by Revealing She Sleeps Only Three Hours a Night
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has drawn criticism after revealing that since taking office in October, she typically sleeps between zero and three hours per night. Her post on social media platform X sparked concerns about her health and decision-making capacity, while also igniting a broader discussion about Japan's culture of overwork, where long office hours are often seen as a sign of dedication. Takaichi disclosed that she spends weekends reading thick stacks of documents from early morning until late at night, recently reviewing final drafts of policy papers and thousands of accumulated emails.
Posting on the last day of a three-day weekend, Takaichi said she managed to sleep five hours, which she described as an unusually good night. She also shared that she used her free afternoons to catch up on household chores like ironing thin clothes worn under suits, mending skirts, and sewing loose buttons, noting that her workload was so heavy she nearly ran out of clean clothes for work. However, opposition figures criticized her approach, arguing that a leader should delegate tasks and focus on decisions only they can make. Yoichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, questioned whether her staff provides adequate support and suggested she delegate household chores to rest and maintain clear judgment.
Takaichi’s work habits have previously raised concerns; in November, she told parliament she sleeps only two to four hours a night and once summoned aides for a 3 a.m. meeting ahead of a budget discussion. She models herself after former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, known for minimal sleep and a tough leadership style. Upon becoming party leader, Takaichi famously declared she would abandon work-life balance, urging party members to "work like horses," a phrase that became widely known but also criticized for glorifying extreme work hours.
The debate is particularly sensitive in Japan, where "karoshi," or death from overwork, is a recognized issue. The government has long sought to reduce excessive work hours to improve health, family life, and birth rates. Critics warn that Takaichi’s example and her government’s move to ease overtime restrictions could undermine these efforts. Her recent work involved finalizing a major economic roadmap with public and private investments totaling over 370 trillion yen (about 2.3 trillion dollars) through 2040, including last-minute changes to avoid pressuring the Bank of Japan on interest rates. The revelation about her limited sleep comes at a critical time as she faces significant economic decisions.
