The grand prize winner of this year’s Japanese buzzword award was announced at an annual ceremony in Tokyo on December 1.

The honor went to a phrase used by Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae in October after she won the Liberal Democratic Party leadership election.

S/ Takaichi Sanae, Prime Minister / I will have everyone work. I myself will abandon the idea of work-life balance. I will work, work, work, work and work. I will also ask all of you to work a lot.

In response to criticism from some quarters that called her remark outdated, Takaichi clarified her stance at the buzzword award ceremony.

She acknowledged that work-style reform is currently a very important topic.

But she pointed out that there are people across Japan engaged in tasks such as research and technological development who devote themselves to their work so much that they even forget to eat or sleep.

Takaichi said her intention was to convey that, as the leader responsible for managing the country, she feels strongly that she must work tirelessly to contribute to the nation.