{
  "id": 12358988,
  "title": "Sleep-deprived Japan turns catching the perfect nap into a competition",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/sleep-deprived-japan-turns-catching-the-perfect-nap-into-a-competition",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-06T10:04:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/sleep-deprived-japan-turns-catching-the-perfect-nap-into-a-competition-1.500700193"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a country notorious for long working hours and chronic sleep deprivation, Japan has introduced a unique approach to encourage better rest - by transforming sleep into a competition. Dozens of participants competed in a contest called \"Matt Race\" in Tokyo, where they were equipped with sleep-tracking devices and tasked with falling asleep swiftly and soundly on comfortable mattresses. The contest, organized by mattress company Koala Sleep Japan, promised a grand prize of over 2 million yen ($14,000).\n\nOrganizer Riichiro Nakama, the creative director of Koala Sleep Japan, noted that Japan is often characterized by sleep deprivation, with its citizens being exceedingly diligent. According to OECD data, Japanese individuals averaged only 7 hours and 24 minutes of sleep per day in 2021, the lowest among OECD countries in the dataset.\n\nThe victor, going by the pseudonym Suimii, intends to utilize the prize money for relocation expenses and a new bed.",
  "summary": "In a country known for long working hours and chronic sleep deprivation, Japan has found an unusual way to promote better rest — by turning sleep into a competition. Dozens of participants took part in a contest dubbed “Matt Race” in Tokyo, where they were fitted with sleep-tracking devices and challenged to fall asleep quickly and deeply on comfortable mattresses. Organised by mattress company…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}