Sanae Takaichi shares personal anecdote about cockroach at official residence

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shared a personal anecdote on social media regarding an encounter with a cockroach at her official residence in Tokyo. While addressing questions about the residence—which is subject to local legends of being haunted—Takaichi stated she has not seen ghosts but was startled by the insect.

Takaichi explained that she chose not to kill the cockroach, citing her philosophical belief in reincarnation. She noted that her reverence for living creatures was influenced by the manga 'Phoenix' by Osamu Tezuka. She had hoped the insect would leave on its own, but her staff eventually arranged for pest control to resolve the issue.

Following the extermination, the Prime Minister admitted to feeling a sense of relief mixed with loneliness or sadness due to the sudden silence in the mansion. The story has garnered significant attention on social media platforms like X.