Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has shared insights into her use of the official residence next to her office, aiming for heightened work efficiency. In December, Takaichi made the decision to move into the residence, a historic building dating back to 1929, initially serving as the prime minister’s office until a new one was constructed nearby.
In a statement on X, Takaichi emphasized the benefits of living at the official residence, or “kotei,” highlighting its proximity to her office. This eliminates the need for commuting, allowing her to swiftly commence work during emergencies. She has enhanced the residence’s office capabilities, facilitating remote or in-person meetings with her staff even beyond traditional working hours. Additionally, she takes home documents for review.
Takaichi expressed, “To me, the official residence is also a workplace.” However, her recent disclosure about enduring sleepless nights—ranging from zero to three hours—due to combining homemaking duties with her demanding role as prime minister, has sparked criticisms. Some argue that Japan’s first female leader might be setting an unfavorable precedent for work-life balance and gender equality.
The prime minister’s support ratings have seen a notable decline as she controversially backed policies such as revising the Imperial House Law to uphold male-only succession. This occurred alongside delayed economic measures to tackle inflation.
Media outlets have reported Takaichi’s absence from parliamentary sessions, noting her tendency to remain at the residence during nights and weekends. Compared to her predecessors, her communication with fellow lawmakers and officials appears diminished. Instead of interacting with the media, Takaichi often shares her policies and comments via X.
Despite the residence’s historical significance, including two coup attempts in the 1930s and rumors of it being haunted, Takaichi seems unfazed. She remarked, “I’ve never seen a ghost, but I have often screamed because of my encounters with cockroaches.” Takaichi recalled being startled when a cockroach scurried past her feet.