Japan's PM Sanae Takaichi is under fire after claiming makeup and chores mean she works longer hours than male predecessors

Sanae Takaichi, Japan's first female prime minister, told parliament on Wednesday that her morning routine — bathing, making breakfast, washing up and applying makeup — takes 'three or four more hours' longer than it did for her male predecessors. Critics have accused her of reinforcing outdated gender stereotypes and a national workplace culture defined by overwork. Lawyer Fusako Miwa described invoking makeup as an excuse as 'unacceptable'.

On average, Japanese women put in close to five hours of domestic work each day, compared with just 40 minutes for men.

Takaichi says her nightly sleep ranges from 'about two hours now, four hours at the longest'