In Japan, Prime Minister's Sleep Schedule Prompts Work-Life Balance Debate

Sanae Takaichi posted about how little sleep she gets on the job, but it has drawn criticism from some who say she’s valorizing overwork.

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Japan Is Startled by Prime Minister’s Grueling Sleep Schedule

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Sanae Takaichi has said she gets just “zero to three hours” of sleep a night, prompting a debate in the country over work-life balance.

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TIME Published 23 July 2026

In Japan, Prime Minister's Sleep Schedule Prompts Work-Life Balance Debate

NYT Published 22 July 2026

Japan Is Startled by Prime Minister’s Grueling Sleep Schedule

Sanae Takaichi has said she gets just “zero to three hours” of sleep a night, prompting a debate in the country over work-life balance.

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