"I Wish I Could Get Some Sleep" Frozen Meals and Nursing Duties... Prime Minister's Plea

Takaichi Mentions Lack of Sleep
"I Wish I Could Sleep More"

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who is personally nursing her ill husband, has expressed her struggle with lack of sleep.

According to reports from Japan's Kyodo News and others on the 23rd, Prime Minister Takaichi mentioned during a meeting with former Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Akira Amari at the official residence that "I wish I could get a bit more sleep."

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shows her taped finger while campaigning in Gifu Prefecture on February 1. Photo by Yonhap News

It has been reported that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is not only dealing with parliamentary responsibilities and handling issues such as the situation in the Middle East, but is also simultaneously caring for her husband, former lawmaker Taku Yamamoto, at the official residence. Former lawmaker Yamamoto suffered a stroke in February last year, and Prime Minister Takaichi has personally taken on his rehabilitation and daily care.

Previously, Prime Minister Takaichi drew attention when she revealed that she gets only minimal sleep due to nursing duties and housework. In November last year, during a House of Councillors budget committee meeting, she stated that her average sleep time was "generally from two hours to, at most, four hours."

At the House of Councillors budget committee meeting on the 7th of this month, she commented on life at the official residence, saying, "My sleep time is relatively short because household chores take up much of my time," and "I try to handle as much work as I can from home whenever possible."

Since living at the official residence, Prime Minister Takaichi has said that she is unable to go grocery shopping, remarking, "If we run out of frozen food, that's the end."

Prime Minister Takaichi suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, leading to concerns about her health among those around her.

However, former Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Amari stated that Prime Minister Takaichi "seemed healthy." A close aide to Prime Minister Takaichi also said, "Although rheumatoid symptoms do appear from time to time, there is no significant difference from her usual condition."

Meanwhile, it is known that Prime Minister Takaichi prefers to spend time on policy research while eating alone, rather than having lunch or dinner with political or business figures. Some interpret this work style, focusing on document review rather than face-to-face meetings, as an inevitable outcome since she personally handles both household chores and nursing her husband, leaving her with little free time.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.