Takaichi Defends Long Hours at Official Residence, Citing 0-3 Hours of Sleep
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 22
Takaichi Defends Long Hours at Official Residence, Citing 0-3 Hours of Sleep
3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 22
Summary
Sanae Takaichi said her long stays at Japan’s official prime ministerial residence are meant to improve efficiency, letting her skip a commute, handle emergencies quickly and keep working after office hours.
December marked her move into the 1929 brick-and-stone residence, where she said she has expanded office functions so staff meetings can be held there remotely or in person and documents can be reviewed at night.
Zero to three hours of sleep, which Takaichi recently disclosed on X, has fueled criticism that her work habits and homemaking burden project a poor model for work-life balance and gender equality.
Falling support ratings have added to scrutiny as she pushes a male-only imperial succession revision and delays measures to address rising prices, while media say she has reduced contact with lawmakers and relies heavily on X.