Overview
- Sanae Takaichi told a legislative committee she currently sleeps only two to four hours a night, joking that it is “probably bad” for her skin.
- Reports say she summoned staff to a 3 a.m. meeting to prepare for a parliamentary session, intensifying scrutiny of her work-first approach.
- Her government has signaled plans to extend allowable overtime hours, drawing objections in a country already grappling with karoshi.
- Figures in both the ruling LDP and the opposition voiced concern, with Ken Saito urging caution about her health and Katsuhito Nakajima urging her to rest.
- Takaichi previously pledged to forgo work–life balance and has maintained a relentless early schedule that included an ASEAN summit and hosting Donald Trump.