Japan Turns National Fatigue Into a Competitive Sleeping Championship in Tokyo
Japan has turned national sleep deprivation into a competitive sport with the "Matt Race" tournament in Tokyo, where contestants competed for a cash prize by falling asleep the fastest.
While most of us struggle to stay awake during a busy workday, Japan has decided to turn national fatigue into a competitive sport. Dozens of participants, who define themselves as "elite competitive sleepers," gathered in Tokyo to compete with one unique goal: to lie down, relax, and fall asleep as fast and as "deeply" as possible.
According to a report by AFP, the special competition, named "Matt Race," was organized by the mattress company Koala Sleep Japan. During the tournament, dozens of carefully selected contestants entered a dim and quiet room, where luxurious mattresses awaited them. They were connected to advanced sleep-monitoring devices attached to their heads, and some even hugged plush toys to achieve maximum relaxation. The rules were simple: 90 minutes of napping, and the winner would be determined by how quickly they fell asleep and the quality of their sleep.
The grand prize awaiting the sleep champion amounted to a particularly appealing sum for the average Japanese person—2 million yen (tens of thousands of shekels).
A Serious Social Issue Behind the Fun
Despite the amusing atmosphere, a painful social issue lies behind the event. Japan is considered one of the sleepiest countries in the world. According to 2021 OECD data, the average Japanese citizen sleeps only about 7 hours and 24 minutes a day—the lowest figure among all organization members. Experts explain that long working and commuting hours, alongside an extensive nightlife culture, are the main factors behind chronic sleep deprivation.
"Japan is often described as a country suffering from sleep deprivation, and the people here are very hardworking. By turning sleep into such a competitive event, we can get people to sleep together and raise awareness and interest in the importance of sleep," explained Ryiichiro Nakama, creative director of the mattress company.
For the participants, the competition was primarily a dreamy break from a grinding routine. "It ended in the blink of an eye. I almost wish I could sleep a little longer," said 32-year-old Chisato Honda, who took part in the event, adding that it was a very joyful contest.
First place and the coveted cash prize were claimed by a participant who went by the alias "Suimi." When asked what she would do with her newfound fortune while still sprawled on the mattress, she replied: "I want to move out on my own, so I will use the money to cover moving costs. Besides, I really want a princess-like bed, and I think I'll buy one."
