Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi moves into ‘haunted’ official residence

Japanese premier Sanae Takaichi may have even more trouble sleeping after moving into the prime minister’s official residence, where the ghosts of Japanese soldiers from a century ago reportedly reside.

Japan’s first female prime minister was moved to the stone and brick mansion next to her offices in central Tokyo on Monday, more than two months after she took office.

She was staying in accommodation reserved for parliamentarians, but was criticized for taking 35 minutes to get to her office after a major earthquake in early December.

Takaichi, 64, came to power with a promise to “work, work, work, work and work” and has said that since taking office she has been too busy to sleep more than two to four hours a night.

Opened in 1929, its new environment — its style inspired by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s Imperial Hotel, since demolished on the other side of the city — could also keep her awake.]

It was the scene of two attempted coups in the 1930s, when several senior officials, including a prime minister, were assassinated by young military officers.

In addition to at least one bullet hole, some believe the ghosts of those involved have been wandering the halls ever since.

Takaichi’s predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, also lived in the residence, which was renovated in 2005, and said he was not afraid of ghosts.

Before him, Fumio Kishida said he saw no ghosts and slept soundly.

Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe – Takaichi’s former mentor – and Yoshihide Suga both lived elsewhere, leaving the supposed ghosts without company for nine years until 2021.