{
  "id": 15099819,
  "title": "Japan’s leader says she loses hours to makeup and chores. Opinions abound.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/japans-leader-says-she-loses-hours-to-makeup-and-chores-opinions",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-17T02:03:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Japan Times",
    "slug": "japan-times",
    "url": "https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/10/17/japan/politics/takaichi-makeup-chores/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faced a question about her daily schedule during a parliamentary session this week. The first woman to hold the position in the country's history seized the opportunity to address the issue, highlighting the challenges she faces due to her daily routine.\n\nTakaichi explained that she spends at least three hours each day on makeup, bathing, cooking, and other household tasks. She acknowledged that this significantly impacts her ability to find time for focused work, noting that it may add an extra three to four hours to her day compared to her male predecessors. The vast majority of lawmakers present were male, emphasizing the unique perspective she brings to the discussion.\n\nThe prime minister's candid remarks sparked a range of opinions among her colleagues and the public. Some praised her transparency, while others debated the implications for gender roles in leadership. Regardless of the differing views, Takaichi's acknowledgment of the time-consuming nature of personal responsibilities adds a new dimension to the conversation about the challenges faced by women in politics.",
  "summary": "Sanae Takaichi said she has a busier schedule than her male predecessors, a nod to the disproportionate share of household tasks in Japan that fall to women.",
  "key_points": [
    "Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi spends 3 hours daily on makeup, chores",
    "Candid remarks highlight impact on work time for women leaders",
    "Opinions vary on gender roles in political leadership"
  ],
  "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."
}