Story perspectives

Takaichi Says Cockroach Sightings End After Insect Poison

8/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said a cockroach in the residence made her feel lonely after staff removed it.
She moved into the brick residence, built in 1929, in December 2025.
On August 22 she posted on X that she had not seen ghosts but was shocked by the cockroach.
Secretaries applied insect poison around the building, ending sightings, which Takaichi called relieving yet sad.

History

Historical Context

Japan’s brick Prime Minister’s residence, finished in 1929 under architect Ito Chuta with ¥150 million from the Ministry of Finance and space for twelve ministries, reflected the era’s push for Western-style, centralized governance seen elsewhere in Italy’s Fascist consolidation and the Depression. On August 22 2025, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s X post about a lone cockroach highlighted how the building’s historic symbolism still shapes modern political narratives.

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Story summary

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said a cockroach in the residence made her feel lonely after staff removed it.
She moved into the brick residence, built in 1929, in December 2025.
On August 22 she posted on X that she had not seen ghosts but was shocked by the cockroach.
Secretaries applied insect poison around the building, ending sightings, which Takaichi called relieving yet sad.

1 / 2