A Japanese man, Daisuke Hori, 40, from Hyogo Prefecture, has claimed that sleeping for only 30 minutes a day for nearly 12 years has significantly increased his life expectancy and boosted his work efficiency. Known for his supreme fitness, Hori believes that by reducing sleep, he gains more productive hours each day.
Hori began cutting back on sleep over a decade ago, training his mind and body to function normally on minimal rest. He noted that avoiding sports or caffeine before meals helps stave off drowsiness. Hori sleeps for just 30 to 45 minutes a day and insists that he never feels tired.
An entrepreneur with diverse interests such as music, painting, and mechanical design, Hori founded the Japan Short Sleepers Training Association in 2016. His organization offers courses on sleep and health, and Hori has taught around 2,100 students to become ultra-short sleepers like himself. A Japanese TV channel followed Hori for several days and found that he slept only 26 minutes daily yet woke up energetic and clear-headed. His daily routine includes breakfast, work, and an intense gym session.
One of Hori’s students reported reducing her sleep from eight hours to just 90 minutes, maintaining this routine for four years without any adverse effects on her physical or mental health. Hori’s techniques have attracted significant attention on social media, with some praising him as a master of time management. Comments like “I want to learn how to sleep less and work more efficiently” have circulated online.
However, doctors warn against such practices. Neurologist Guo Fei of Huazhong University advises that adults need seven to nine hours of sleep daily. According to Fei, sleep is essential for recovery and repair, and inadequate sleep can lead to memory issues, weakened immunity, mood disorders, and heightened cardiovascular risks.
