Despite Chronic Illness and Three Hours of Sleep, Takaichi’s Approval Surges—What’s Behind the Worry?

She can’t rest unless she checks everything herself

The 30 nominees for the annual “New Words and Buzzwords Awards” were announced, and among them was the phrase Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (64) uttered when she was elected LDP president:

“I will work, work, work, work, and work.”

Fittingly—or worryingly—her work-life balance has become a matter of public debate.

On November 7, ahead of her first appearance at the House of Representatives Budget Committee, Takaichi held a study session at the official residence starting at 3 a.m. Early-morning meetings are nothing new for prime ministers, but the middle of the night is unprecedented. During the Budget Committee session, LDP Representative Ken Saitō (66) remarked:

“This seems like too much hard work. To be honest, I’m worried. Good performance requires rest. I hope you can skillfully take breaks now and then.”

Constitutional Democratic Party Representative Takahiro Kuroiwa (59) added:

“It’s not just ministries—around 100 people, including parliamentary security, have to stand by. Some ministry staff likely had to stay up all night. It affected many people.”

Takaichi responded:

“I caused trouble for the secretary, the SPs who came from their residences, and the driver.”

A political insider commented in an interview:

“She’s the type who takes everything on herself. Even things she could delegate to bureaucrats—she insists on checking personally. She has always preferred studying alone in her room over going out drinking. In that sense, she’s similar to Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike (73). Koike was once forced to take rest due to overwork during COVID. People are worried Takaichi could end up the same way.”

There are also concerns about her health. During the Budget Committee, when asked about raising the patient cost ceiling under the High-Cost Medical Expense Benefit System, she replied:

“As medical expenses continue to increase year by year due to aging and the spread of high-cost drugs, the cost of the high-cost medical care benefit is rising even faster. I myself am a rheumatoid arthritis patient and am only managing to suppress progression through medication.”

Intensive diplomatic schedule — “Takaichi Theater” from day one

In 2013, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi revealed to Shukan Shincho that she suffers from treatment-resistant rheumatoid arthritis. In that interview, she stated:

“At night, I apply pain-relief patches called Mohrus Tape to the joints in my hands and feet before going to bed. In the morning, I wake up early and take a bath to loosen the stiffness in my fingers. If I don’t do that, I can’t take notes during early-morning meetings.”

Her condition clearly affects her daily life.

“Her diplomatic schedule is extremely demanding, and she reportedly sleeps only about three hours a night. But at the same time, this work ethic is part of what wins support from voters.”

says an LDP official. In fact, former Osaka governor and lawyer Toru Hashimoto posted on X:

“This kind of atmosphere is what attracts public sentiment.”

Some polls even show Takaichi’s approval rating exceeding 80%.

On social media, comments such as:

“She’s doing a good job.”

“What were previous prime ministers even doing?”

have poured in. But experts warn that blindly following this mood can be dangerous.

To understand the concerns for the Takaichi Cabinet going forward, this site spoke with political commentator Harumi Arima.

“Right after taking office, she had a rapid succession of important diplomatic engagements, making her the top news story almost every day. It was truly ‘Takaichi Theater.’ Her approval rating is in a bubble-like state.

One concern is that as she continues speaking to her right-wing support base, she might accidentally make comments that provoke foreign countries.

Her remarks on a potential Taiwan contingency are an example. Statements that might be overlooked from an ordinary politician carry far greater weight when spoken by a prime minister.

Another major issue is whether she can deliver results on domestic policy—especially economic measures. There are many challenges, including the twelve joint policy items with the Japan Innovation Party. Policies like fixing the 1.03-million-yen income cap are things past LDP administrations avoided. How much Takaichi can push through will determine whether she can maintain her approval rating.”

In the U.S., when President Trump took office, he reversed nearly all Biden-era policies and issued a flood of executive orders to showcase reform. But in reality, most were symbolic gestures. Even his key Trump tariffs may be struck down by a Supreme Court ruling expected this December.

With Takaichi popularity heating up, the question remains:

Once the public regains its composure, what will the numbers look like?