Japan has run an unusual competition that encouraged participants to do something most people try to achieve every night -- get a good night’s sleep. And that was the only thing in Tokyo that made the participants work hard to win 90 minutes.
This “Matt Race” was organized by Koala Sleep Japan, a mattress company, as a novel way to highlight the role of sleep. Dozens had come to the competition to not only savour a nice nap but to win a prize of two million yen (Rs 12 lakh).
Instead of physical strength, speed or stamina (to be precise), the sleep contest was all about keeping the participants relaxed and asleep as fast as possible. They were given comfortable mattresses and monitored by staff during the 90-minute session.
The room was designed for sleep and was dimly lit and peaceful. Some of the participants even took stuffed toys or other familiar objects to make the participants feel more comfortable.
The competitors were fitted with sleep-tracking devices to monitor their sleeping patterns. Organisers were able to assess how fast participants fell asleep and how deeply they slept during the competition. In this way the competition made an ordinary nap a measurable one.
Riichiro Nakama, the creative director at Koala Sleep Japan, said Japan is frequently described as a country that is in the midst of sleep deprivation. He also cited the dedication of Japanese people as one of the most important aspects of the country’s demanding lifestyle as one of the reasons for Japan’s lifestyle.
To turn sleep into an event might help people take more serious things like sleep and how much time to sleep as an issue and need to get enough rest, he said.
The unusual format also attracted people who called themselves “competitive sleepers.” These weren’t training for a marathon or sports event; they were working on how to relax and fall asleep. So the contest, therefore, was entertainment in conjunction with a larger message about sleep and wellbeing.
Japanese People Among The Least-Sleeping In OECD
The contest is occurring against the backdrop of sleep deprivation in Japan. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) as of 2021 data, Japan had the lowest average sleep duration among the 38 OECD members. Japanese people were reported to sleep an average of 7 hours and 24 minutes a day.
Long working hours, long commutes and social life are commonly associated with Japan’s sleep patterns. The busy urban life in cities like Tokyo can make it hard for people to have a consistent sleep schedule.
The problem of insufficient sleep has also gained attention due to the effects on productivity, concentration and overall wellbeing. The Tokyo contest was fun but the organisers used it to raise consciousness of a very serious problem.
After 90 minutes, the winner was crowned based on the sleep measurements during the competition. Suimii won and received the two million yen prize.
After the contest, Suimii said the prize money would help cover moving expenses. He also revealed a more personal plan for the winnings, saying he wanted to buy a bed that felt like a “princess’s” bed.
The “Matt Race” illustrates how an everyday activity can be converted into a rather unusual competition while also serving to raise the awareness of the importance of rest. As sleep deprivation continues to be considered to be a lifestyle issue in Japan and in other countries, the event also gave participants an opportunity to compete while doing something that many people don’t get enough of so often— sleep.
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