Sanae Craze in Takashi: Handbags Sold Out! "Oath" Becomes Japan's Buzzword of the Year

(Deutsche Welle Chinese) Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's vow to "work tirelessly, work tirelessly, work tirelessly, work tirelessly, work tirelessly to the very end" has been voted Japan's buzzword of the year. This phrase not only highlights her determination but is also seen as a symbol of the efforts she made as Japan's first female prime minister to climb to the top of power.

Sanae Takashi made these remarks when she was elected leader of the Liberal Democratic Party in October. At the time, many people had both high expectations and concerns about her work ethic.

In Japan, a country known for its long working hours, "overwork" is a sensitive issue, especially for women who have to work and do housework. Therefore, the emergence of this buzzword has triggered complex reactions in society, with some even interpreting it as irony. Sanae Takaichi herself stated that her intention was simply to emphasize her level of dedication: "I have absolutely no intention of encouraging people to overwork. Nor do I regard long working hours as a virtue, so I hope everyone will not misunderstand."

Shortly after Kaohsiung took office at the end of October, his statement about "something happening in Taiwan" sparked tensions in Sino-Japanese relations.

As Japan's first female prime minister, Takaichi's attire has also attracted public attention. Women are emulating her "workwear." However, while her style is popular among many young women who call themselves "Sana-katsu," it remains to be seen whether her hardline, conservative policies will garner the same support.

In an effort to regain the right-wing supporters lost during the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership under Shigeru Ishiba , Takashi Kazuo vowed in a party speech on October 4th to revitalize the party's declining image and win back public support, urging lawmakers to "work like horses." She then added, "I will abandon the idea of ​​'work-life balance'—I will work, work, work, work, and work some more."

The "Queen of Livestream Shopping" who sleeps about two hours a day

The city's noticeably long working hours and lack of sleep have also raised concerns among her colleagues. Before a parliamentary debate on November 7th, she held a meeting with her staff at 3 a.m., although she hasn't started working that early since. Last month, she told the Budget Committee, "I now sleep about two hours a day, at most four hours…this might not be good for my skin." She said she enjoys taking hot baths to relax in the morning and evening. "Those are my happiest moments."

Her personal belongings also sparked a buying frenzy. A black handbag she carried was temporarily sold out, and images of Takaichi carrying it into the Prime Minister's official residence on October 21st immediately went viral on social media. This simple leather bag, dubbed the "Sanae Tote Bag," is just the right size to hold A4 documents and comes from Hamano, a 145-year-old leather goods company in Tokyo. Priced at 136,400 yen (approximately US$875), the bag's manufacturer stated that sales are currently at their best in 30 years, with all eight colors sold out. Due to the high-quality leather and the inability to mass-produce it, those who have placed orders will have to wait until August of next year to receive their bags.

Another hot-selling item is a bright pink glitter ballpoint pen from Kaohsiung City, the Mitsubishi Pencil Jetstream 4&1. The "Kaohsiung Sanae version" is frequently sold out in physical stores and online platforms. Those who manage to buy it often post photos online with captions like, "Same pen as Sanae."

Experts have pointed out that, just as baseball fans buy Shohei Ohtani's jerseys to show their support, Takaichi's fans also express their support by buying the same handbags and pens she uses. Namiko Kubo-Kawai, a psychology professor at Aichi Shukutoku University, points out that Takaichi, as a rare "strong female politician" in Japanese politics, has become a new type of female role model. Her short hair and sharp business attire also stand in stark contrast to the typical image of traditional Japanese women.

However, she may not gain the support of feminists. Kaohsiung City holds a firmly conservative stance, emphasizing traditional gender roles and patriarchal values. She supports maintaining the male-only succession to the throne and opposes couples using different surnames.

According to Namiko Kubo, despite this, as Japan's first female prime minister, "she filled the void of a fashion role model and won the favor of many women who had never considered supporting a prime minister before."