Tokyo sleep competition awards cash prize to highlight work culture

Mattress company Koala organised a sleep competition in Tokyo that offered a prize of 2 million yen, or roughly $14,000, to the best sleeper. Euronews reported that the event aimed to highlight sleep deprivation and the long-hours work culture in Japan. [1]

During the event, participants lay in beds while monitoring devices tracked their sleep. Euronews reported that video footage showed contestants sleeping, moving in their beds, and being gently woken up by staff members before the organisers announced the final results. [1]

Contestants stated that the competition provided a rare opportunity to get quality sleep despite their busy daily routines. According to Euronews, one participant planned to use the prize money to pay for moving costs and purchase a new bed. [1]

Tokyo serves as the political and economic nucleus of Japan, housing the National Diet Building and the Imperial Palace. The metropolis generates a nominal gross domestic product of approximately 113.7 trillion yen. [4]