Japanese Entrepreneur Claims to Function on Just 30 Minutes of Sleep a Day

Daisuke Hori, a 40-year-old entrepreneur from Hyogo prefecture in Japan, has garnered attention for his unconventional sleeping habits, claiming to thrive on only 30 minutes of sleep each day.

Hori began his journey of sleep reduction 12 years ago, motivated by a desire to have more waking hours to be productive. He has managed to cut his sleep down to an average of 30 to 45 minutes daily, believing that the quality of sleep is more important than the quantity.

In interviews, Hori cites examples from professions that require intense focus, such as doctors and firefighters, who often work efficiently with limited sleep. He emphasizes that engaging in sports and consuming coffee an hour before meals helps him avoid drowsiness.

To investigate Hori’s claims, Japanese television network Yomiuri TV featured him in a reality show called ‘Will You Go With Me?’, where it was showcased that he once slept for just 26 minutes and subsequently felt energized enough to hit the gym.

Hori’s approach is not without controversy, as health experts warn against the adverse effects associated with insufficient sleep. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society noted that insufficient sleep correlates with an increased risk of chronic health conditions and cognitive decline.

Hori asserts that he has successfully taught over 2,100 individuals techniques to become ‘ultra-short sleepers’, with one student reportedly reducing her sleep from eight hours to just 90 minutes as a result of his training.