While Britons anticipate festive cheer and a slower pace this December, a very different mantra has captured the national spirit in Japan. The phrase 'work, work, work, work and work', famously uttered by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, has been crowned the country's catchphrase of the year for 2025.
A Pledge That Defined a Premiership
The slogan originated from a promise made by Sanae Takaichi before she assumed office in October. Vowing to dedicate herself to the nation, she later intensified her message to fellow Liberal Democratic Party MPs. 'I will have everyone work like a horse. I, myself, will abandon the idea of work-life balance,' she declared.
Further fuelling concerns, the Prime Minister informed parliament that she typically sleeps between two and four hours each night, raising alarms about her personal health and the example being set.
Backlash and a National Conversation
In a nation already infamous for its punishingly long working hours and the tragic phenomenon of 'karoshi' (death from overwork), the comments landed poorly. Lawyers representing victims of work-related fatalities criticised the statements as deeply unhelpful, arguing they glorify a dangerous culture.
Despite the controversy, the awards committee selected Takaichi's phrase as the winner, stating it perfectly encapsulated Japan's current zeitgeist. It triumphed over other shortlisted entries, including 'First female prime minister' and 'Trump's tariffs'.
Clarification and Continued Controversy
Accepting the award this week, Prime Minister Takaichi sought to clarify her intent. 'I had no intention of encouraging people to overwork or suggesting that working long hours is a virtue,' she stated.
This linguistic award comes just days after another of Takaichi's remarks made international headlines. At a Saudi-organised economic forum on Monday, she told attendees to 'shut your mouths' – a comment her office later explained was a misunderstood reference to a well-known Japanese comic routine.
The selection of 'work, work, work, work and work' as the defining phrase of 2025 underscores the enduring tension in Japan between economic drive and the urgent need for sustainable work practices, a debate that continues to resonate globally.
