Japan's first female prime minister says household chores add extra hours to her day

In a parliamentary address, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi explained that she likely spends three to four additional hours each day on domestic tasks compared with previous male leaders, including bathing, preparing breakfast and doing the dishes. She described herself as a workaholic who gets two to four hours of sleep and sometimes schedules meetings at 3 a.m. The discussion arose after a ruling coalition member asked about the long hours Japanese premiers typically spend in parliament, where sessions can last five to seven hours daily.

Lawmaker Fumitake Fujita of the Japan Innovation Party referenced a 2022 study showing Japan's premier attended parliamentary sessions for 72 days, far more than the United Kingdom's 50 days or Germany's 13 days, and said this exceeds global norms. Takaichi also posted on X that she works late into the night reviewing documents, which leaves little time for clear-headed strategic thinking. The remarks highlight ongoing gender role expectations and the intense workload faced by Japan's leaders.