Japan’s Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, has revealed she survives on just two to four hours of sleep each night, sparking concern over her approach to work-life balance in a country already plagued by overwork. Speaking to MPs, Takaichi attributed her habit to political hero Margaret Thatcher, acknowledging it might be “bad for her skin.”
Takaichi made headlines recently for holding a 3 a.m. meeting with aides in preparation for a budget committee hearing scheduled six hours later. Weeks earlier, she celebrated becoming Japan’s first female prime minister by promising to “work, work, work, work and work,” signaling a relentless approach to governance.
Japan has long struggled with a corporate culture of long hours and late-night socializing, contributing to karoshi death from overwork and making it difficult for couples to raise families, affecting the country’s low birthrate. While Takaichi has expressed commitment to prioritizing workers’ health, her own sleep habits have raised questions about the feasibility of improving work-life balance under her leadership.
“If we can create a situation where people can balance childcare, caregiving, work, leisure, and relaxation according to their wishes, that would be ideal,” Takaichi said, though she admitted she would forgo work-life balance for herself. She also encouraged colleagues in the Liberal Democratic Party to “work like a horse.”
Her rigorous schedule has drawn concern from both allies and opponents. Former LDP economy minister Ken Saito expressed worry about her health, while opposition MP Katsuhito Nakajima urged her to get more sleep, prompting a nod and smile from the prime minister.
While many Japanese people fail to get sufficient rest, few match Takaichi’s extreme four-hour maximum. A March study revealed that the average Japanese adult sleeps just over seven hours on weekdays—38 minutes less than the international average.
Since taking office in late October, Takaichi has already attended the ASEAN summit, welcomed Donald Trump for a state visit, and met Xi Jinping at the APEC summit. Rising tensions with China over Taiwan may add to the prime minister’s sleepless nights, keeping the nation watching closely.
