The pledge by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to \u201cwork, work, work, work and work\u201d for her country has been named the catchphrase of the year, recognizing the effort Japan’s first female leader had to make to reach the top.<\/p>\n
The ultraconservative\u00a0Takaichi uttered the phase in October\u00a0when she was elected as head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Many were initially as worried about her work ethic as supportive of her enthusiasm.<\/p>\n
In a country notorious for long working hours, especially for working women who are also burdened with homemaking and caregiving, overwork is a sensitive topic. The recognition triggered a mixed reaction, with some interpreting it as satire.<\/p>\n
Accepting her award from a private committee this week, Takaichi said she only wanted to stress her enthusiasm.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have no intention of encouraging other people to overwork, or suggesting long working hours as a virtue,\u201d Takaichi said. \u201cI hope there is no misunderstanding.\u201d<\/p>\n
Takaichi, within weeks of\u00a0taking office in late October, sparked a deepening spat with Beijing over her remark about possible Japanese military action in the event that China attacks Taiwan.<\/p>\n
As the nation’s first female prime minister, Takaichi has captured public attention for her workwear, with women scrambling to copy her style, and the interest has not worn off.<\/p>\n
But while her dress sense has won admiration from younger women who say they are \u201cSana-katsu,\u201d or rooting for Sanae, it is unclear if her hard-line conservative policies will win the same praise.<\/p>\n
Takaichi is looking to regain right-wing supporters after the LDP\u2019s big election losses under her moderate predecessor Shigeru Ishiba.<\/p>\n
During her speech to party members Oct. 4 she promised an all-out effort to rebuild the struggling party and regain public support, urging lawmakers to \u201cwork like a horse.\u201d Then she added: \u201cI will abandon the idea of a \u2018work-life balance\u2019 \u2014 I will work, work, work, work and work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Repeating the word \u201cwork\u201d in a low, determined voice left a strong impression at the time.<\/p>\n
Hard work \u2014 and then a hot tub<\/p>\n
Takaichi\u2019s apparent long working hours and lack of sleep have worried fellow lawmakers. She held a meeting with aides at 3 a.m. before the first day of parliament Nov. 7, though she hasn\u2019t started that early since.<\/p>\n
\u201cI sleep about two hours now, four hours at the longest,\u201d Takaichi, who also provides care for her husband who is recovering from a stroke, told MPs at a budget committee meeting last month. \u201cIt\u2019s probably bad for my skin.\u201d<\/p>\n
She says she likes to soak in a hot tub in the morning and at night to relax. \u201dThat\u2019s my blissful time,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Her style-icon status has been boosted by her black bag, dubbed a \u201cSanae Bag,” which is officially called the Grace Delight Tote. It is made by Hamano Inc., a 145-year old bagmaker based in Tokyo.<\/p>\n
Priced at 136,400 yen ($875), the simple leather bag is just large enough to fit A4-sized papers. It is selling the best since its debut 30 years ago, according to the company.<\/p>\n
Takaichi was carrying the bag as she walked into the prime minister’s office on Oct. 21, and the scene immediately caused a sensation on social media.<\/p>\n
Hamano spokesperson Takanori Kobayashi said his company is delighted to see Japan’s first female prime minister carrying the bag.<\/p>\n
Within days, inquiries and orders for the bag surged, and all eight colors have sold out. The bag, which is carefully made of high quality leather, cannot be mass-produced, and those who ordered it now have to wait until August, Kobayashi says.<\/p>\n
Another popular item is a sparkly light-pink pen Takaichi uses to take notes; it’s Mitsubishi Pencil Co.\u2019s Jetstream 4&1.<\/p>\n
The pen, the “Sanae Takaichi model,\u201d is often out of stock at stores and internet shopping sites. Those who have found one often proudly post photos with a message: \u201cMatching Sanae.\u201d<\/p>\n
Style icon, but no feminist<\/p>\n
The attention Takaichi is receiving is usually reserved for pop stars, athletes and influencers in Japan who fans have access to only through television or the internet.<\/p>\n
The prime minister’s fans show their loyalty by buying the same bag and pen she uses, just as fans of star athletes like Shohei Ohtani buy replicas of his uniform to cheer on the Dodgers, experts say.<\/p>\n
Takaichi has won admiration as a new type of role model for women who have not usually rooted for prime ministers in the past, says Namiko Kubo-Kawai, a psychology professor at Nagoya Shukutoku University.<\/p>\n
In Japan, many female role models typically were supported for their femininity, but Takaichi is unique as a high-powered politician. Her short haircut and no-frills workwear also stand out from conventional female models.<\/p>\n
She may not inspire many feminists, however.\u00a0Takaichi is a staunch conservative\u00a0who champions Japan\u2019s traditional gender and paternalistic values. She has supported keeping the succession of Japan\u2019s monarchy male only. She also opposes changing a 19th-century law that would allow married couples the option of keeping separate surnames.<\/p>\n
Sill, as the first female prime minister, \u201cshe fits perfectly as a stylish role model and has won admiration from many women who have been looking for one even though they probably have never thought of rooting for a prime minister,” Kubo-Kawai said. \u201cFemale role models are becoming more diverse.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
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