TOKYO: Japan’s self-described “competitive sleepers” competed to fall asleep the fastest and achieve the deepest sleep in an unusual contest organised by a mattress company.
The competition, called “Matt Race”, brought dozens of participants together in Tokyo on Monday.
Participants wore sleep-tracking devices and rested on comfortable mattresses. They were allowed to sleep for up to 90 minutes while competing for a top prize of more than 2 million yen, or about $14,000.
Contest Aims to Highlight Sleep Deprivation
Riichiro Nakama, creative director at organiser Koala Sleep Japan, said the contest was designed to raise awareness about sleep.
“Japan is often described as a country suffering from sleep deprivation, and people here are very diligent,” Nakama said.
Participants slept in a dimly lit room while wearing monitors attached to their heads. Some also slept while holding stuffed toys.
“By turning it into an event like this, I think we can get people to sleep together, raise interest in sleep,” Nakama said.
According to OECD data from 2021, people in Japan slept an average of seven hours and 24 minutes per day. This was the lowest average among OECD countries.
Experts have linked Japan’s limited sleep time to long working hours, lengthy commutes and a busy nightlife economy.
Winner Plans to Buy a New Bed
The winner was selected based on how quickly and soundly each participant fell asleep.
Contestant Chisato Honda, 32, said the experience felt very short.
“It was over in an instant. I almost wish I could have slept a little longer,” Honda told AFP.
“It was a happy competition,” he added.
The winner, who goes by the nickname Suimii, said the prize money would help with moving expenses.
“I want to live on my own, so I think I’ll use the money for the moving costs,” Suimii said.
The winner also plans to buy a new bed.
“I also want a bed like a princess’s, so I think I’ll buy that bed,” Suimii added.
