The pledge by Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to “work, work, work, work and work” for her country has been named the catchphrase of the year.
The ultraconservative Takaichi uttered the phrase in October when she was elected as head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Many were initially as worried about her work ethic as supportive of her enthusiasm.
Accepting her award from a private committee this week, Takaichi said she only wanted to stress her enthusiasm and that her comments had been somewhat misinterpreted.
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“I have no intention of encouraging other people to overwork or suggesting long working hours as a virtue,” Takaichi said. “I hope there is no misunderstanding.”
Since taking office in late October as the nation’s first female prime minister, Takaichi has also captured public attention for her fashion, with women scrambling to copy her style.
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But while her dress sense has won admiration from younger women who say they are “Sana-katsu”, or rooting for Sanae, it is unclear if her hardline conservative policies will win the same praise.