- PM Takaichi felt lonely after staff removed cockroach.
- She believes in rebirth, inspired by Phoenix manga.
- Addressed rumors of her official residence being haunted.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has shared an unusual and personal story about a cockroach that appeared at her official residence in Tokyo. What started as an encounter with an unwanted insect ended with the Japanese leader saying she felt "a little lonely" after her staff removed it. In a long social post, she made a shocking confession about her belief in ghost and rebirth.
Takaichi recently spoke about her habit of spending long hours working at the official residence, which is located close to her office. She has said that working from the residence helps her save travel time and allows her to respond quickly when important government work or emergencies arise.
公邸について書きましたので、よく頂くご質問についても、お答えします。
— 高市早苗 (@takaichi_sanae) August 22, 2026
「公邸にはオバケが出るそうですが、もう会いましたか？」
私は、オバケに会ったことは無いのですが、先日までは、ゴキブリに会って叫び声を上げていました。…
During one of these long periods at home, Takaichi discovered a cockroach. She said she was shocked to see it, especially because she considers herself very careful about keeping her home clean.
A reincarnation theory
However, she did not kill the insect herself.
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Takaichi explained that she has a childhood connection with the Japanese manga Phoenix, created by famous manga artist Osamu Tezuka. The story deals with themes such as life, death and reincarnation. Because of this, she said she thought the cockroach might be part of the long cycle of life and decided to leave it alone.
The cockroach eventually became known to her staff. Her aides were apparently much less comfortable with the unwanted guest and decided to remove it.
After the staff got rid of the insect, Takaichi said she felt relieved but also unexpectedly lonely or sad. The incident made her reflect on how isolated life can sometimes feel, especially when she spends long hours working alone.
The Japanese prime minister also addressed stories about the official residence being haunted. The building has a reputation because of its connection to political events and attempted coups in Japan’s past. But Takaichi said she had never seen any ghosts there. Instead, the only unusual visitor she had encountered was the cockroach.
Her comments have attracted attention online because of the unusual combination of Japan’s prime minister, a cockroach and an emotional reaction to its removal.
Takaichi’s personal life away from politics
The story also offers a glimpse into Takaichi’s personal life away from politics. Despite leading one of the world’s major economies, she described a simple moment in which the removal of a small insect unexpectedly made her feel alone.
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Her remarks come as she has faced questions about spending a significant amount of time at the official residence. Takaichi has defended the arrangement, saying the residence is not simply her home but also an important workplace where she can handle government documents, hold meetings and work efficiently.