Sanae Takaichi’s not-so-catchy remarks about everyone working like a horse did not go down well in a country notorious for its demanding work culture
It is not, perhaps, a word many people in Japan will want to hear as they prepare for the bonenkai office party season and some well-earned time off over the new year.
But the promise made by Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, that she would “work, work, work, work, and work” on behalf of her country has clearly struck a chord.
Her vow, made just before she took office in October, has been chosen as Japan’s catchphrase of the year, beating more than two dozen other candidates.
Takaichi drew criticism after she implored her fellow Liberal Democratic party (LDP) MPs to follow her lead. “I will have everyone work like a horse,” she said, adding that she would abandon the concept of a work-life balance in her own life.
