Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has sparked debate after revealing that she gets very little sleep since taking office.In a post on X, Takaichi wrote that she had managed to get "five full hours of sleep for the first time in ages"—an improvement from her usual "zero to three hours" a night since becoming prime minister.'"On weekdays, by the time I get back to the residence, I'm maxed out on private time just handling bath cleaning, bathing, dinner, washing up afterward, laundry, and some light tidying," she wrote."So the late-night hours after that get consumed until dawn with reading materials brought back from the Prime Minister's Office or prepping for … question time."Takaichi added that whatever free time remained was spent ironing handkerchiefs, catching up on laundry, and repairing clothes.While the disclosure offered a rare glimpse into the pressures of Japan's highest office, it also sparked a nationwide debate about the health risks of chronic sleep deprivation."I think she should rest more," Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki said at a news conference."Why doesn't her entourage provide more support to create an environment in which she can make important decisions with a fresh mind?"However, some of Takaichi's colleagues defended her."Each person has their own various circumstances and behind-the-scenes stories, and on the premise of fulfilling responsibilities in public duties, I would be grateful if you could understand," Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Ayano Kunimitsu wrote on X.Also read: Could Poor Sleep Be One of the Earliest Signs of Alzheimer's Disease? Study Says YesHow Much Sleep Do You Really Need?Dr. Nitin Dange, Comprehensive Stroke and Endovascular Neurosurgeon at Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, told HealthandMe that regularly missing sleep can increase the risk of neurological problems over time."Currently, due to hectic schedules, people are now sacrificing sleep to meet work deadlines, study longer, or spend more time on screens. Missing a few hours of sleep once in 2-3 months is harmless.However, chronic sleep deprivation can not only cause irritation and weight gain but also neurological issues. During sleep, the brain processes memories, repairs nerve cells, regulates emotions, and clears waste products that accumulate throughout the day," Dr. Dange said.A recent research, published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia, suggests that disruptions in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, during which we dream, consolidate memory, and process emotions, could be among the earliest biological signs of Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Priyam Bordoloi, an Internal Medicine Resident from Assam, also highlighted the dangers of sleeping less than six hours a night."When you hit deep sleep, your brain's glymphatic system activates. Think of it as a plumbing system that actively flushes out metabolic waste and neurotoxic proteins (like beta-amyloid) accumulated during the day. When you consistently sleep less than 6 hours, you cut this vital cleaning cycle short. The toxins build up. If you do not fix this, you are actively fast-tracking your risk for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, stroke etc. It's a bad habit we all need to fix," he wrote on X. Tips To Sleep BetterExperts recommend getting 7-9 hours of sleep every night for optimal brain health. Maintain a consistent sleep and wake-up schedule.Avoid screens, caffeine, and heavy meals before bedtime.Exercise regularly, but avoid intense workouts late at night.Keep your bedroom quiet, cool, and dark.Consult a doctor if you snore loudly, stop breathing during sleep, or feel excessively sleepy during the day.