Japan's first female PM says makeup and housework add hours to her working day

Loading the video World News Video. Japan's first female PM says makeup and housework add hours to her working day Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 16/10/2026 - 17:30 GMT+2 Japan's first female PM says makeup and housework add hours to her working day ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has sparked debate over gender roles and work-life balance after saying household chores and personal grooming add three to four hours to her daily routine compared with male prime ministers. Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, Takaichi said she prepares breakfast, cleans up and applies makeup before starting her official duties. “In the morning, I take a bath, prepare breakfast, clean up afterwards, and then do my makeup. When you add all that up, I feel I may be spending an extra three or four hours compared with a male prime minister,” she said. Takaichi also explained that her staff had initially struggled to accommodate the time she needed to prepare for television appearances. Japanese politics Japan Prime Minister Top stories Now playing Next Japan's first female PM says makeup and housework add hours to her working day Now playing Next Families of children killed in Pakistan school collapse demand justice Now playing Next Belgium: Pumpkimania festival takes over Groot-Bijgaarden Castle Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | October 16th, 2026 – Evening Now playing Next Russian missiles spark huge factory fires in Ukraine’s Odesa and Zaporizhzhia Now playing Next Italy: Nationwide air traffic control issues disrupt flights at Rome airport Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | October 16th, 2026 – Midday Now playing Next Mont Blanc rises by almost two metres, now standing at 4,807.47 metres Now playing Next Musk suggests US behind slowdown in Ukraine's Starshield system Now playing Next Russia miscalculated in sidelining Europe, Kallas tells Euronews Now playing Next Thousands of supermarket fridges still exposed after cyberattacks Now playing Next Zelenskyy adviser: Starlink operations restricted in Ukraine overnight Now playing Next Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass as recovery from cancer surgery progresses Now playing Next Paris Motor Show: Renault and Citroën unveil electric concepts inspired by classic cars Now playing Next '‘It’s easier dealing with Trump than Putin,’ Zelenskyy tells Euronews amid US tensions Now playing Next Vatican releases first photos of Pope Leo XIV after lung tumour surgery ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT World News Houthi missile attack targets Yemeni presidential palace in Aden USA Candlelight vigil honours victims of Oregon school shooting Belgium Europeans ‘far more united’ on tougher China trade stance after German shift, Barkin says Iran Another tanker catches fire near Hormuz after two cargo ships sunk in attacks Cult From Samarkand to Paris: Preserving Central Asia's scientific heritage Cult Inside Qatar’s Geekend where gamers, cosplayers and artists share their love of games, comics and anime Earth News ‘Subsidising suicide’: UN chief urges governments to stop propping up polluting fossil fuels Europe News Russia strikes nine Ukrainian regions as strain grows between Zelenskyy and Trump No Comment Ukraine unveils flying ambulance drone that could save lives in minutes Europe Today Russians can't sip margaritas in the EU while Putin bombs Ukraine, says EPP MEP Europe News Italy data network glitch hits airports: Flights delayed and cancellations Europe Today Irish minister says EU budget deal still possible 'by Christmas' ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Turkey: Worst rainfall in 80 years unleashes deadly floods near Istanbul Tech News 'Well, it worked': Elon Musk unveils new Tesla Roadster that can fly Europe Today Europe Today: Zelenskyy in Brussels as Kyiv looks to Europe amid tension with US Europe Today Ukraine pushes for European alternatives to US air defences and Starlink amid tensions with Washington Europe News EU summit: Leaders clash over migration, as Denmark, Italy and Poland push for stronger language Earth News A kite-powered snow sled designed in Spain is gliding across Antarctica in world-first No Comment Albania: Violent protests rock Tirana for third straight day Europe News Trump’s Russian diesel deal driven by ‘dubious business motives’, Latvian MEP Kols tells Euronews ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT