Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi startled the public with a post on X on the night of July 20, 2026, revealing her punishing schedule. Writing from Tokyo, she described spending weekends since early July "reading thick documents from early morning until late at night."

Over the weekend of July 18 and 19, Takaichi said she reread final drafts including the Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform, and worked until dawn on July 20 processing "several thousand emails." Since taking office, she wrote, "zero to three hours of sleep has become the norm."

On the final day of the three-day weekend, Takaichi noted that "for the first time in a while, I was able to get as much as five hours of sleep." She spent the afternoon on domestic tasks — ironing handkerchiefs and inner tops left untouched, and doing some sewing — calling the time "precious" for private use.

The disclosure has reignited debate over the sustainability of Japan's political work culture and the health risks facing its top leader.