"Can't Do Their Job" Trends on X in Japan: Prime Minister Takaichi's "No Sleep" Post Sparks Fierce Debate on Competence

On the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the phrase "can't do their job" (shigoto ga dekinai) has trended, drawing significant attention. The catalyst was a post by Prime Minister Takaichi on her official account, where she lamented her extremely busy schedule, stating that "getting only 0 to 3 hours of sleep has become the norm." While the post garnered some sympathy, it also sparked a wave of harsh criticism online, with users calling it "poor self-management" and "the classic excuse of someone who is bad at their job," quickly escalating into a major debate over business philosophy.

Boasting About Being Busy: "Proof of Incompetence"?

Many online comments pointed out the critical importance of "time management" and "delegation" in modern business. Cool-headed opinions stood out on X, with users writing: "People who brag about not sleeping are essentially announcing to the world that they can't manage their own work pace or tasks," and "Instead of looking like a boast about hard work, it looks like she is showing off her inability to delegate tasks to others."

Furthermore, arguing that capable executives and leaders are defined by thorough health and time management, users questioned the competence of the country's top leader making "all-nighter" posts. Harsh criticisms from the perspective of voters as the "employers" emerged, with some stating she is "unfit for the role" and suggesting she should "outsource the work immediately or be replaced by someone who can do it."

Concerns Over Negative Stereotypes for Female Leaders

The controversy has also spilled over into discussions on gender and career progression. Some female users expressed concern about the potential collateral damage, noting, "I really hate that her behavior might reinforce the prejudice that 'women can't do the job and shouldn't be put in important positions.'" There are growing fears that relying on physical endurance rather than building efficient systems and utilizing personnel effectively will damage the public image of female leaders as a whole.

The Expanding Debate on "Competence"

Triggered by the criticism of the Prime Minister, the discussion on X has expanded to general workplace philosophies. Users have shared specific indicators of incompetence, such as "leaving doubts unaddressed is a sign of someone who can't do their job" and "people who are slow to reply to messages are incompetent." Regarding the debate over remote work versus returning to the office, some argued, "Those who can't work remotely can't work in the office either." Conversely, those in managerial positions offered more constructive advice: "Before labeling an individual as incompetent, we should analyze at which process or level of authority the workflow is getting bottlenecked."

With citizens struggling under difficult economic conditions, voters are looking at "performative effort" (yatteru-kan) with unprecedented severity. In the political arena, where results matter far more than how busy one claims to be, this social media post has ultimately forced many Japanese citizens to reconsider the true qualities of leadership.

The context

This controversy highlights a significant cultural shift occurring in Japan regarding work ethic and productivity. Historically, sacrificing sleep and working grueling hours were viewed as signs of dedication and loyalty—a legacy of Japan's post-war economic miracle and "salaryman" culture. However, in recent years, the Japanese government has promoted "Work-Style Reform" (Hatarakikata Kaikaku) to curb excessive overtime and improve productivity through efficiency. Consequently, bragging about sleep deprivation is increasingly viewed by the younger, business-savvy generation not as a badge of honor, but as a lack of basic self-management and delegation skills. This public backlash reflects growing impatience with performative busyness (often criticized as yatteru-kan, or "acting like you're working hard") at a time when citizens expect tangible policy results and modern leadership from their politicians.