Takaiichi called an emergency meeting at her office at 3 a.m.
This disclosure came after Takaiichi called an emergency meeting at her office at 3 a.m. last week to prepare for a parliamentary session, which surprised both the public and media circles. Speaking in a parliamentary committee, Takaiichi said, “I now sleep for about two hours, at most four hours. I realize this is not good for my skin.”
She was questioned in the committee about long working hours in Japan and their negative effects.Japan has long faced a work-life balance crisis, where the term karoshi, meaning “death from overwork,” has become common. Takaiichi was also asked about her government’s plan to consider raising overtime limits to boost economic activity.
Defending the proposal, she said that the needs of workers and employers differ. Some people work two jobs to make ends meet, while some companies impose strict limits on overtime. She assured that any reforms will ensure the protection of workers’ health.
The Japanese Prime Minister added that an ideal scenario would be a system where people can voluntarily balance child-rearing, household care, and employment.
Takaiichi assumed office last month after winning the leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party. After her election, she stated that she would abandon the concept of “work-life balance” for herself, focusing solely on work. Since then, she has been following a continuous, busy schedule.
