Sanae Takaichi says "work, work, work, work, work" on her plan to forgo balanced schedule

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has stirred public worry after revealing she typically gets zero to three hours of sleep each night, calling five hours a rare occurrence during a holiday weekend post. Upon assuming office, Takaichi announced she would forgo a balanced schedule, pledging to devote all her energy to her role. Her disclosure prompted a national conversation about the dangers of sleep deprivation for a head of government. Opposition leader Yuichiro Tamaki publicly suggested her staff should help her rest, while deputy minister Ayano Kunimitsu urged the public to be understanding. The debate highlights Japan’s broader culture of excessive work hours, which officials say leads to hundreds of fatalities annually from overwork-related causes.