@tokyojapannow: Japan's prime minister says being a woman may cost her an extra three to four hours every morning. Speaking at the Lower House Budget Committee on October 14, Sanae Takaichi described her daily routine of bathing, preparing breakfast, cleaning up afterward, and doing her makeup. She estimated that these tasks could take three to four hours more than a male prime minister's morning routine. Her comments came after Fumitake Fujita, co-leader of the opposition Japan Innovation Party, questioned the burden of parliamentary sessions that kept her answering questions from 9 a.m. until evening for two consecutive days. Takaichi said the demanding schedule makes it difficult to find time for strategic thinking about Japan's future. She has previously described sleeping just two to four hours nightly and beginning preparations at 3 a.m. before committee sessions. She did not specify whether anyone shares household duties. She also reaffirmed that she would continue attending whenever parliament requests her presence. Within hours, her remarks topped Jiji Press's political readership rankings. Should Japan change its parliamentary schedule to give its prime minister more time to govern?

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Friday 16 October 2026 23:43:00 GMT