Japan PM Takaichi Defends Staying at Official Residence

Takaichi has moved into the official residence next to her office and defends it as a workplace to maximize efficiency, enabling work after hours and eliminating commutes. She emphasizes proximity allows immediate work, including emergencies, and she regularly posts updates on X; reports indicate she sleeps as little as zero to three hours. Critics say the arrangement sets a poor example for work-life balance and gender equality and note her support has fallen amid unpopular policies. Media and lawmakers have described reduced interactions, with claims she avoids parliamentary sessions and has fewer conversations with officials than predecessors. A Bloomberg analysis shows she has fewer meetings with Finance Ministry officials and less engagement with the press compared with prior leaders. Historically, the official residence is tied to a turbulent past, including 1930s coup attempts and legends of ghosts.