Sanae Takaichi, Japan's First Female Prime Minister, Shakes Up "Long Working Hours Japan" — Is "2 Hours of Sleep, Waking Up at 3 AM" a Reform or a Step Backward?

2025年11月24日 11:20

1 "Prime Minister Who Sleeps 2 Hours and Wakes Up at 3 AM" Emerges

In October 2025, Sanae Takaichi, Japan's first female prime minister, became a major topic in both domestic and international media due to her "superhuman work style." According to reports, the prime minister claims to "sleep only about two hours a day," "wake up at 3 AM to start work," and "continue meetings at the official residence until late at night." Furthermore, it was reported that she personally handles issues like paper jams in copiers and fax troubles late at night, with aides testifying that "she's the type who can't be satisfied unless she checks everything."

These episodes have been praised overseas as a "stoic and hardworking leader image," while in Japan, a different debate quickly erupted. Concerns spread rapidly on social media and in the media about whether this work style might be imposed as an "ideal" on the public and whether the history of "karoshi" (death from overwork) is being forgotten.

2 The Shock of the Statement "Work-Life Balance is Unnecessary"

The debate intensified further with Prime Minister Takaichi's statement about "eliminating the concept of work-life balance." Shortly after taking office, the prime minister reportedly emphasized the importance of work itself, demanding that "members of parliament work like horses." While the phrase suggests strong leadership, Japan has long faced serious health issues due to "overwork." In a culture where "working = virtue," the top leader sending a message that "it's okay not to rest" could potentially steer society in the wrong direction, a concern that quickly spread.

3 The Word "Karoshi" Spreading Worldwide

"Karoshi" (death from overwork) is now a Japanese term understood globally. Cases where long working hours, lack of sleep, and excessive pressure converge, leading to physical and mental limits and loss of life, surged in the 1970s and 1980s. The Dentsu incident and the overwork deaths of young employees at major corporations remain symbolic cases. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare considers "over 80 hours of overtime per month" as one benchmark for the karoshi line, and it is undoubtedly a long-standing issue in Japan. Therefore, the impact of the nation's leader endorsing a "work style that continues to cut down on sleep" is immeasurable.

4 What Changed with the 2019 "Work Style Reform"?

With the work style reform-related laws in 2019, Japan finally began legally restricting overtime hours. The principle is "45 hours per month, 360 hours per year." Even with special provisions applied, the upper limits are set at "less than 100 hours per month," "an average of 80 hours over multiple months," and "720 hours per year." This was a significant step towards breaking away from a work style based on long hours. Additionally, initiatives to change Japan's labor culture, such as mandatory paid leave, strengthened premium wages, and phased application to small and medium-sized enterprises, have finally begun to progress.

5 Concerns Over "Relaxing Limits" Under the Takaichi Administration

However, it has been reported that the Takaichi administration is considering "reviewing" these overtime limits. The prime minister is said to have stated that "we must not hold back those who want to work more." At first glance, it sounds like a "reform to expand freedom." However, experts point out that "Japan has a 'culture of not being able to refuse,' so relaxing the limits could actually corner workers in weaker positions." In many workplaces in Japan, when a superior says, "I want you to voluntarily do your best," it is difficult to argue against it.

6 The Reality of "Unpaid Overtime" Not Reflected in Statistics

Japan's average annual working hours are said to be about 1,600 hours, which is not necessarily exceptionally long internationally. However, this figure does not include "unpaid overtime." Work done after clocking out, handling emails at home, and preparing materials on holidays are everyday occurrences that are not counted. Moreover, surveys indicate that about 20% of companies already reach 80 hours of overtime per month, which is the karoshi line itself. Under such circumstances, relaxing overtime regulations could strengthen the trend of "continuing to work."

7 The Prime Minister Becomes a "Role Model" for Society

How much a politician works is a personal freedom. However, the issue is the "message conveyed." In Japan, the actions of superiors strongly shape workplace culture. If the prime minister shows an example of working by cutting down on sleep, corporate executives might feel justified in expecting the same from their subordinates. Furthermore, Prime Minister Takaichi is known for advocating a "strong nation," and the overlap of this stance with a "work style involving severe self-sacrifice" could create an atmosphere nationwide that prioritizes the state over individuals.

8 "Freedom" and "Self-Responsibility" Are Different

Among the supporters of Prime Minister Takaichi, there are voices saying, "She's just doing what she likes," and "Politicians have demanding jobs anyway, so it's not a problem." However, the issue is "how society as a whole moves." Japan has a strong "conformity pressure," and even if the relaxation of limits is introduced as "freedom," the atmosphere on the ground can easily strengthen the notion that "not working means lacking motivation." As a result, it is highly likely to become "de facto coercion."

9 The Global Trend Towards "Restricting Working Hours"

In many European countries, policies are moving towards "preventing overwork," such as a 48-hour workweek, extended paid leave, and guaranteed leisure time. In contrast, Japan's working hours are longer than official statistics, and vacation-taking rates are low. If the prime minister's statements are added to this, Japan might be seen even more as a "nation of overwork" by the world.

10 "Actions to Protect Yourself" You Can Take Immediately

Even if discussions on work styles progress, it is up to individuals to protect their own lives. First, it is important to check "objective records" such as monthly overtime hours, PC logs, and time cards, and be conscious of not exceeding 80 hours per month. Additionally, knowing the contact information for in-house consultation desks, the Labor Standards Inspection Office, and labor unions is necessary, and it is important to consult early if you notice changes in your physical or mental health. The belief that "continuing to push yourself will lead to results" is the most dangerous misconception that has led to karoshi.

11 "Monitoring" and "Proactivity" in Politics

This article does not criticize any specific politician. However, work style is a theme that is fundamentally related to life. We can choose a "work-friendly society" through elections and policies, depending on how the government handles overtime regulations and what pledges each political party makes. It is required to monitor politics from the perspective of "what is a society where we can live healthily," rather than emotions.

12 Conclusion: The Focus Should Be on "Society's Direction," Not "Prime Minister's Sleep Hours"

The essence is not the lack of sleep hours of Prime Minister Takaichi, but how society as a whole perceives that work style. Japan has just begun to correct long working hours with work style reform, and if it regresses here, it could return to a society of overwork. It is most important to maintain systems that protect those who tend to overwork and to create an environment where individuals can live with peace of mind.

◆ List of Reference Articles

Reference Article

Japan's New Prime Minister Sparks Debate Over Extreme Working Hours
Source: https://www.aktiencheck.de/news/Artikel-Japans_neue_Premierministerin_entfacht_Streit_ueber_extreme_Arbeitszeiten-19240711

← Back to Article List

Cookie Usage