{
  "id": 15112199,
  "title": "Tokyo hosts 'sleep-off' comp as 65 snoozers battle for 2.22-million-yen prize",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/tokyo-hosts-sleep-off-comp-as-65-snoozers-battle-for-2-22-million-yen",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-17T04:00:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20261015/p2a/00m/0na/005000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Tokyo hosted an unconventional sleep-off contest, dubbed Matt Race by Koala, on October 5th. The event, organized by Australian bedding and furniture brand Koala, attracted 65 participants eager to compete for a substantial prize of 2.22 million yen (approximately $15,000), inspired by the sound of snoring. Despite the event's unusual premise, it garnered significant attention, particularly on social media, with over 47,000 applications received. Participants attached monitoring devices to their heads and ears to measure sleep quality during a 90-minute sleep period, with electroencephalograph devices tracking sleep depth and stability. The winner was a 24-year-old woman from Musashimurayama, who had previously fallen asleep at a live concert. The event aimed to promote sleep awareness while providing a fun, competitive atmosphere.",
  "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."
}