Japan's Minister Sleep Habits Prompt Debate as Seniors Combat Insomnia

Japan's senior cabinet member Sanae Takaichi disclosed she sleeps only three hours a night, igniting a national conversation about work‑life balance and the health risks of chronic sleep deprivation. Medical experts warned that consistently short sleep can weaken immunity, raise cardiovascular risk, and shorten lifespan.

In a separate health briefing, researchers highlighted that up to 40% of adults over 60 experience insomnia, with reduced deep‑sleep phases and lower melatonin production. The elderly often face additional sleep‑disrupting conditions such as sleep apnea and nocturia, and reliance on multiple medications can worsen sleep quality, potentially affecting cognition and memory.