Japan’s First Female Prime Minister Says She Works 3-4 Hours More on Housework Than Male Predecessors

Sanae Takaichi, elected last year as Japan’s first female prime minister, told parliament that she likely spends “three or four more hours” than her male predecessors on household duties. She described a typical morning of bathing, preparing breakfast, washing dishes and applying makeup before beginning her official duties, noting that the added chores compress the limited time she has to contemplate policy.

Japan Times

Law-maker Fumitake Fujita of the Japan Innovation Party cited a 2022 study showing the Japanese prime minister attended parliamentary sessions for 72 days in a year, far exceeding the United Kingdom’s 50 days and Germany’s 13 days. He argued that such prolonged confinement to parliament does not meet global standards for executive time management.

Japan Times

Women remain under-represented in the National Diet, with only 68 of the 465 lower-house seats filled by female lawmakers after the February election. The disparity underscores the broader cultural expectations that Takaichi references when discussing her dual responsibilities at home and in office.

Japan Times

Takaichi posted on X in July that she is “getting consumed until dawn” reviewing documents taken home from work, and she expressed difficulty finding clear-headed time to shape the nation’s future. Fujita emphasized that the extensive parliamentary schedule limits the leader’s ability to engage in broader governance activities, echoing concerns about alignment with international norms.

Japan Times

• “In the morning, I bathe, fix breakfast and then wash dishes, not to mention apply makeup,” — Sanae Takaichi, prime minister

Japan Times

• “The fact that our leader is confined for such long hours to parliament isn’t in line with the global standards.” — Sanae Takaichi, prime minister

Japan Times