PM Takaichi’s remark that makeup and chores take her ‘3 to 4 hours more than a male PM’ sparks backlash
First seen · Oct 17, 4:04 AM (Seoul) · Last updated · Oct 17, 4:04 AM (Seoul)
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told the Diet she spends three to four hours more than a male prime minister on things like makeup and morning chores, igniting a debate over gender roles. Opposition lawmakers criticized the answer as diminishing the status of women.
What happened
Answering a question on Diet reform from Fumitake Fujita of the Japan Innovation Party at the House of Representatives Budget Committee on Oct. 14, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said she spends three to four hours more than a male prime minister on things like makeup and preparing breakfast. She recalled that her secretaries were not used to a female prime minister and at first she did not even have time to touch up her makeup.
Why it's trending
Coming from Japan’s first female prime minister, nearly a year into office, the mention of housework and makeup in a Diet answer spilled over into a debate over gender roles. J-CAST News and other outlets reported that the remark caused a stir.
Reactions
Upper House member Renho of the Constitutional Democratic Party called the answer that she spends more time on housework, cooking and grooming “deeply regrettable,” and Japanese Communist Party Upper House member Yoshiko Kira criticized it as “an answer that diminishes the status of women.” Online opinion was split, with some criticizing the assumption that women make breakfast while some conservatives defended it as ‘an honest confession.’
What to watch
The prime minister’s side explained that the point was less about her personally than about how a prime minister handles a range of duties. The remark came during questioning on Diet reform, and Takaichi will soon mark one year in office.