Prime Minister Takaichi Defends Extended Hours at Official Residence as Strategy for Efficiency

TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi addressed growing scrutiny regarding her frequent presence at her official residence, stating on Saturday that she utilizes the residence—located adjacent to her office—to maximize her professional efficiency.

Takaichi moved into the official residence, a historic brick-and-stone mansion completed in 1929 that originally served as the Prime Minister’s office, in December.

In a post on X, Takaichi explained that living in the “kotei” (official residence) offers significant advantages, including the elimination of a daily commute and the ability to respond immediately to emergencies.

She noted that she has enhanced the residence’s office capabilities, allowing her to conduct meetings with staff both in person and remotely, even outside of standard working hours. She also mentioned that she frequently brings documents home for review.

“To me, the official residence is also a workplace,” Takaichi remarked.

However, Takaichi has faced criticism regarding work-life balance and gender equality. Her recent comments on X, revealing she often sleeps only zero to three hours a night due to the combined pressures of her role and household responsibilities, have drawn backlash. Critics argue that the nation’s first female leader may be setting an unsustainable precedent.

The Prime Minister’s approval ratings have also faced downward pressure following the promotion of controversial policies, such as revisions to the Imperial House Law to reinforce male-only succession, and delays in implementing economic measures to combat inflation.

Media reports have suggested that Takaichi has been avoiding parliamentary sessions and spending much of her evenings and weekends at the residence. Observers note that her level of communication with fellow lawmakers and officials is significantly lower than that of her predecessors, as she frequently chooses to announce policies and commentary via X rather than engaging with the traditional press.

The official residence holds a heavy history, having been the site of two violent coup attempts during the 1930s, and local legends claim the building is haunted.

Despite these historical associations, Takaichi appears unbothered by the residence’s reputation.

“I’ve never seen a ghost, but I have often screamed because of my encounters with cockroaches,” she joked. “I was shocked when a cockroach ran past my feet.”

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