Japanese Minister's Comments on Chores and Makeup Ignite Gender Role Debate

TOKYO -- Statements made by Japanese Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding the additional time she dedicates to household chores and applying makeup, compared to her male predecessors, have ignited a national debate on gender roles and placed her performance under intense scrutiny. Takaichi stated in a parliamentary session that daily routines, including preparing breakfast, doing dishes, and applying makeup, add three to four hours to her workday.

Her aides reportedly took time to recognize her need for additional preparation to be presentable for media appearances. However, Takaichi's emphasis on makeup and domestic duties has drawn criticism, with many viewing it as a reinforcement of outdated gender stereotypes and a justification for excessive working hours, which have long been a persistent issue in Japan.

In Japan, where traditional gender roles remain firmly entrenched and long working hours are common for men, working women often bear the additional burden of household chores and childcare. Government figures indicate that women spend nearly five hours daily on domestic tasks, a stark contrast to the approximately 40 minutes spent by the average man.

Social media reactions highlighted that many working women in Japan, particularly those raising children or caring for elderly parents, face even greater demands than Takaichi. Critics suggested her comments reflect poor time management and an outdated perspective on gender equality.

"As long as she gets her job done, it's fine if she needs more time than men ... but seeking forgiveness because she needs time to put on makeup as an excuse is unacceptable," commented Fusako Miwa, a lawyer, on social media.

Takaichi's previously stated work mantra, which included minimal sleep due to homemaking duties alongside her demanding schedule, has also faced criticism for setting a poor example regarding work-life balance and gender equality.

She has also reduced her parliamentary appearances, largely staying at her residence on nights and weekends, a tendency that has been criticized as neglecting policy discussions. This comes as the minister's newly appointed farm minister, Kazuo Yana, resigned amid scandals, including allegations of prioritizing municipalities that supported him electorally.

Fumitake Fujita, a senior official from Takaichi's junior coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, raised the issue of prime ministerial time management. He suggested reducing the lengthy parliamentary sessions that ministers are frequently required to attend, citing a report that indicated Japanese prime ministers attend sessions for significantly more days compared to their counterparts in Britain and Germany. The report proposed providing domestic staff at the prime minister's official residence to allow the leader to focus on official duties and ensure adequate rest.

Takaichi acknowledged the difficulty of managing her schedule, often bringing extensive documents home. "I do enjoy reading them late at night," she said. "Honestly, I feel it is not easy to squeeze out time to sit down and think about the future direction of Japan or have a grand vision."