Overview
- Takaichi acknowledged in parliament that the early preparation caused inconvenience to staff but said it was necessary after a jammed home fax blocked briefing materials.
- Opposition leader Yoshihiko Noda and bereaved families of overwork victims condemned the example set by convening aides at such an hour.
- LDP allies defended the prime minister’s work ethic, with some blaming opposition lawmakers for submitting questions late before the 9 a.m. Diet budget session.
- CCTV images and reports indicate the meeting involved several aides and lasted roughly three hours ahead of her appearance in the Lower House Budget Committee.
- The episode has intensified scrutiny of proposals to relax Japan’s 45‑hour monthly overtime limit, a change Takaichi has supported while saying worker health must be protected.