Takaichi Cites Makeup and Housework for Low Diet Attendance: 'More Time Needed Than Male Prime Ministers'

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has once again leaned on fixed gender stereotypes, arguing that as a female prime minister, she needs more time for makeup and household chores, in response to opposition criticism that her parliamentary attendance is significantly lower than that of her predecessors.

According to local media reports on the 15th, Prime Minister Takaichi answered a question regarding her parliamentary attendance time at the House of Representatives Budget Committee session the previous day, saying, "It is not easy to find the time to sit quietly and think strategically," citing her gender as the reason for the lack of time.

Citing examples such as makeup, bathing, meal preparation, and cleanup, she mentioned, "I might be dedicating about three to four hours more time than male prime ministers."

At the same time, she repeatedly emphasized that she reads and reviews work documents late into the night.

Prime Minister Takaichi has faced criticism from the opposition for having a shorter parliamentary attendance time and being negligent in parliamentary responses compared to past prime ministers.

With the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party pushing for discussions on parliamentary reform as a major agenda item in the current extraordinary session and attempting to reduce the prime minister's parliamentary attendance time, Prime Minister Takaichi effectively emphasized fixed traditional gender roles as the reason for her lack of time.

She has previously come under fire for similar remarks and behavior.

In July, Prime Minister Takaichi posted on X (formerly Twitter), "After returning home on weekdays, I am chased by laundry, washing dishes, and cleaning, and on my precious holidays, I spent time doing a large amount of ironing and sewing." She wrote that juggling her prime ministerial routine and housework left her with only zero to three hours of sleep, pouring criticism over her low gender equality awareness as well as sparking concerns over her health management.

(Photo: Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.