Japan's first female PM Takaichi says makeup and chores add THREE MORE HOURS to her day than male predecessors

Sanae Takaichi, Japan's first female prime minister, told parliament she spends three to four hours more each day than her male predecessors on tasks including cooking, washing dishes and applying makeup. Critics swiftly accused her of reinforcing the rigid gender norms she appeared to be complaining about. Government figures show Japanese women spend nearly five hours daily on household chores, compared to roughly 40 minutes for men. Takaichi also revealed she sleeps as little as two hours a night, admitting 'it's probably bad for my skin.'

Japan's strict 'midashinami' rules require women to wear makeup and heels while avoiding short skirts, adding professional pressure men simply do not face.

Social media users pushed back sharply, pointing out that working mothers juggling childcare and elderly care face far heavier burdens than a childless PM with staff.

Takaichi once called aides to a 3am meeting, and a coalition official has since suggested cutting the length of parliamentary sessions to ease her schedule.