Japan is known for its hard work, dedication to precision and achieving advances other countries are only now thinking about. However, this technologically advanced G7 country is also one of the lowest scoring on the happiness index and the work-life balance report. According to 2025 data, Japan ranks 3.4 out of 10 globally for work-life balance, with 1 in 10 employees working over 80 hours of overtime monthly. With a rank of 55 out of 146 countries, 64% of Japanese saying that financial concerns are one of the biggest reasons for their unhappiness.
And recently, Japan’s highest-ranking official, 65-year-old Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, made a comment that stirred the world.
On July 20, Japan celebrates Marine Day, a public holiday in the country
that gives thanks to the ocean for its bounty and shines a light on the importance of the ocean to Japan as a maritime nation.
PM Sanae Takaichi took to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday night and wrote, “I was able to get five hours of sleep for the first time in a while”. She shared how she was able to catch up on ironing and sewing that she has been putting off due to her work and added, “Since taking office, getting zero to three hours of sleep has become the norm. I can work hard again from tomorrow!”
A cultural problem in Japan
This tweet has erupted into multiple debates online. It has brought up Japan’s gruelling way of life when it comes to work. In fact, it also highlighted that Japanese culture even has a special word – ‘karoshi’ – which means ‘death from overwork’. The term has become even more popular as workers often die from heart attacks, strokes, or suicide caused by too many hours and constant stress at work.
In fact, a recent report by the Associated Press stated that government data released earlier this month showed that Japan hit a record high for the fourth year in a row in claims for work-related illnesses and deaths caused by overwork. In 2025, there were 1,310 approved cases, including 145 recognised karoshi deaths or suicides.
This is also not the first time that Sanae Takaichi has projected this image. When she was elected as the president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in October, she proudly announced, “I will abandon the phrase ‘work-life balance.’ I will work, work, work, work and keep on working.” She also called on LDP members to “work like workhorses,” reported Time Magazine.
Sleepless is not for the weak
There is a certain group of people who can naturally function on only 3 to 4 hours of sleep per night without feeling tired. They have been called as “natural short sleepers” or the “sleepless elite”. This rare trait is linked to specific genetic mutations (such as in the DEC2, ADRB1, or SIK3 genes) that make their sleep much more efficient.
Sleep time varies for people
A study stated that the recommended amount of sleep for adults (18-65 years) should ideally be 7-9 hours per day, while older adults (65+ years) should aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per day. Children and adolescents need more sleep than adults, and they should aim to get over 8 hours of sleep per day.
Effects of less sleep
However, working for days without sleep can be deterimental effects on the human body. Sleep deprivation can cause a lot of issues in both the short and long term. Here are 5 ways the body reacts if made to work without rest.
Affects learning: According to the NIH, sleep helps the brain work properly and prepare for the next day. When you are sleeping, the brain is forming new pathways to help you learn and remember information. Studies have shown that a good night’s sleep improves learning and problem-solving skills. Sleep also helps you pay attention, make decisions, and be creative.
Sleep deprivation related heart issues: Good-quality sleep can be very beneficial for the heart as it heals and repairs your heart and blood vessels. Adults who sleep fewer than 6 hours per night face a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke.
Mental health diseases: Sleep deprivation and depression are closely and strongly linked. A lack of sleep can trigger or worsen depression, according to Columbia University research, while depression frequently disrupts sleep through insomnia or restless nights.
Sleep and Diabetes: Lack of sleep severely disrupts blood sugar regulation and increases insulin resistance. It is also a known factor for weight gain, reports Diabetes UK, a charity that champions the cause of diabetes. This happens because not having enough sleep leads to hormonal changes which increase your appetite. And weight gain increases your risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes by causing insulin resistance.
Memory Loss: While more reserach is required into understanding how the brain forms an stores memories, and the role a good night’s sleep has in it, experts agree that sleep helps memory in two ways: A) If you’re sleep deprived, you can’t focus as well, so you’re not learning information as effectively. B) Sleep itself helps strengthen memories, by stabilising and allowing you to recall them later. WebMD states different memories form during different stages of sleep. Both REM sleep and deep sleep are important in forming new memories. When you are sleep-deprived, your brain doesn’t work as well, and it is harder to create and keep new memories.
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