Japan PM Sanae Takaichi Goes Viral After Revealing She Ironed Undergarments During Rare Day Off
Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's candid post about surviving on 'zero-to-three hours' of sleep and spending a holiday ironing undergarments and sewing clothes has gone viral.
Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has gone viral after sharing a candid glimpse into her life in office, revealing that she has been surviving on “zero-to-three hours” of sleep and spent a rare holiday catching up on household chores, including ironing undergarments and sewing clothes.
In an unusually personal post on X, Takaichi said a full night's sleep has become an exception since taking office. She revealed that she spent weekends working on budget and growth-policy documents before returning home to everyday domestic responsibilities, including cleaning the bath, preparing dinner, washing dishes, doing laundry and tidying up. Who Is Sanae Takaichi? Key Facts About Shinzo Abe’s Protégé Set To Become Japan’s First Female Prime Minister.
Japan PM Sanae Takaichi Says She Ironed Undergarments After Surviving on 'Zero-to-Three Hours' of Sleep
“Today’s holiday felt like such a true blessing-finally getting a full five hours of sleep for the first time in ages (ever since taking office as prime minister, zero-to-three hours has been the norm), and then this afternoon, I tackled a huge backlog all at once: ironing the handkerchiefs and undergarments from untouched loads of laundry, plus some sewing (hemming frayed skirt edges and reinforcing loose buttons on jackets).”
Takaichi said she spent the first weekends of July reviewing documents on Japan's basic policies, growth strategy and regional future strategy as her government prepared for the next fiscal year's budget process. She also said she was preparing for questioning in the Diet, Japan's parliament, and clearing thousands of delayed emails until dawn. Japan PM Sanae Takaichi Experiences Indian Culture, Tries Playing Santoor Musical Instrument (Watch).
Her holiday was ultimately devoted to long-pending household work, including ironing neglected laundry and repairing clothes. She added that the backlog had become so significant that she was running short of underlayers to wear with her suits.
The post has drawn widespread attention online for offering a rare and deeply personal look at the demanding routine of a sitting prime minister, blending the pressures of governing a country with ordinary household responsibilities.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 22, 2026 09:57 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).