Tokyo sleep contest offers 2 million yen to best sleeper

A sleep competition held in Tokyo, organized by the brand Koala, offered 2 million yen to the contestant judged the best sleeper, drawing attention to Japan's demanding work culture and widespread lack of sleep among its population.

The contest framed sleep as both a prize-worthy skill and a pointed commentary on Japanese working habits, which have long been associated with long hours and limited rest. Surveys over the years have repeatedly found that Japanese workers report some of the lowest average sleep durations among major economies, a trend linked to extended commutes, overtime culture and workplace norms that discourage leaving early.

Organizers appear to have used the lighthearted format of a sleep competition to draw broader public attention to this issue, pairing a cash incentive with a message about the importance of rest. Such campaigns have become more common in Japan in recent years as companies and public health advocates seek to address the toll of chronic sleep deprivation.

Judging criteria for the competition, including how contestants' sleep quality was measured, were not fully detailed in available reporting.

The event adds to a broader conversation in Japan about work-life balance and efforts to shift away from a culture that has historically valued long hours over rest.