Key Facts
• May 17, 2025: Sanae Takaichi revealed caregiving struggles during a Sapporo lecture.
• Takaichi, 64, is caring for her husband, Takumi Yamamoto, 72, a former lawmaker.
• Yamamoto suffered a stroke in early 2025, resulting in right-side paralysis.
• The couple divorced in 2017 due to political differences but remarried in 2021.
• Takaichi manages daily caregiving, including cleaning, cooking, and bathing assistance.
• Yamamoto refuses to use public caregiving insurance, limiting external support.
• Takaichi aims to become Japan’s first female prime minister while addressing caregiving challenges.
Summary
Sanae Takaichi, a prominent Japanese politician, disclosed her personal struggles with caregiving during a lecture in Sapporo on May 17, 2025. Her husband, Takumi Yamamoto, a former lawmaker, became paralyzed on his right side after a stroke earlier this year. Despite their divorce in 2017, the couple remarried in 2021, and Takaichi now manages his daily care, including cleaning, cooking, and bathing assistance. Yamamoto’s refusal to use public caregiving insurance has added to the challenges. As Takaichi continues her political career and aspires to become Japan’s first female prime minister, her experiences highlight the broader caregiving issues faced by many in Japan.
