Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, secured her party’s nomination by vowing to “work like a horse”. Since taking office on October 21, she has kept her word – but her relentless workload is raising questions about her health.
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Takaichi arrived at her office at 3am on Friday to prepare for her first parliamentary debate, a budget committee hearing that was due to convene at 9am. Even by Japan’s workaholic standards, such an early start raised eyebrows.
“My jaw dropped when I heard it was 3am,” an official told Fuji News Network, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Takaichi’s predawn start prompted some lawmakers to express concern during the committee session, according to the Asahi Shimbun newspaper.
I can hardly get any sleep
“I imagine some staff members worked through the night drafting responses,” said Takahiro Kuroiwa of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party.
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