Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has admitted she is not getting enough sleep six months into her premiership, a candid confession from a leader who counts former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as one of her greatest inspirations. Thatcher was famously known for functioning on just four hours of sleep a night, but Takaichi, 65, is managing on even less.
Takaichi's Sleep Struggles
During a meeting with former trade minister Akira Amari on Thursday, Takaichi expressed a desire for "a little more sleep." She had previously told a parliamentary committee that her sleep time was "quite short as I'm tied up with housework" and that "the rest of the time is spent doing work." Pointing to the bags beneath her eyes, she revealed she sleeps only two to four hours a night: "I sleep about two hours now, four hours at the longest. It's probably bad for my skin."
Challenges with Meals
Food has also proven problematic. "I'm not permitted to go shopping or order takeout from the official residence," she said in February. "If I run out of frozen food, that's the end." Amari noted that she complained of similar difficulties managing meals during their meeting.
Concerns Over Workload
Takaichi caused a stir shortly after taking office when she summoned aides for a 3am meeting to prepare for a budget committee hearing. Her heavy workload has drawn concern across the political spectrum. Amari said he was "honestly worried" about her health, and an opposition MP urged her to sleep more.
Context of Japan's Work Culture
The sleep issue carries particular weight in Japan, where punishing working hours are often blamed for karoshi (death from overwork). Efforts to change a corporate culture that expects late nights and evening socialising have been ongoing for decades. A study released on World Sleep Day in March found that Japanese people average seven hours and one minute of sleep on weeknights—38 minutes less than the international average and less than people in the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Canada.
Takaichi's Work Ethic
Takaichi vowed to "work, work, work, work, and work" after winning the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's leadership contest in October last year. The slogan was named Japan's catchphrase of the year for 2025. A hardline conservative and acolyte of assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, she is a longstanding admirer of Thatcher and seeks a decisive rightward shift in Japan. After moving into the prime minister's residence with her husband, she said he tries to take work home to avoid keeping aides and bodyguards on standby late into the night.
