Japan PM's sleep schedule sparks debate

Japan's leader vowed to "work, work, work, work, and work" upon taking office. The degree to which Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is apparently doing this is now sparking debate. On Monday's Sea Day, when much of the country heads for the beach, Takaichi said she stayed home rereading policy papers, clearing thousands of emails, ironing underwear, and fixing loose buttons—and that she finally managed to get "a full five hours of sleep for the first time in ages (ever since taking office as prime minister, zero-to-three hours has been the norm)."

As the New York Times reports, Takaichi's X post recounting her holiday, which has been viewed roughly 35 million times, has ignited a broader discussion over Japan's work culture and whether a chronically exhausted prime minister can safely run the country. Opposition lawmakers likened severe sleep loss to intoxication, with one even urging her to step down. "Isn't allocating work so that one can focus on tasks only the top leader can perform, in a sense, also the job of a leader?" said another, per the Mainichi. Supporters counter that she's exposing the strain of juggling leadership and housework, especially as Japan's first female prime minister. (This content was created with the help of AI. Read our AI policy.)

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