Japanese dad claims he sleeps 30 minutes each day for last 12 years to double his life expectancy

A Japanese father and bodybuilder claims he is a “true master” and has “doubled” his life expectancy by only sleeping half an hour per night for a dozen years.

Daisuke Hori, 40, says he has trained his body and mind to function normally and not feel tired as he targets 30 to 45 minutes of sleep each night.

Hori relies on remaining active and drinking caffeine to keep awake and alert throughout his 23.5-hour day.

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“As long as you do sports or drink coffee an hour before eating, you can stave off drowsiness,” he said, per the South China Morning Post.

Hori, who lives in the Hyogo prefecture northwest of Osaka, began cutting back on his daily sleep 12 years ago to gain more active hours per day.

Hori’s technique is based on quality over quantity of sleep.

“People who need sustained focus in their work benefit more from high-quality sleep than long sleep. For instance, doctors and firefighters have shorter rest periods but maintain high efficiency,” he explained.

Hori, an entrepreneur, recently competed in the “Best Body Japan” competition, which features men and women boasting the ideal athletic physique.

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A typical day for the married father of one was captured by Japan’s Yomiuri TV show “Will You Go With Me?” The reality program showcased Hori’s life over three days of filming.

In one day, Hori slept for 26 minutes, waking up naturally, refreshed and full of energy, according to SCMP.

He ate breakfast and headed to work, while he also recorded a workout.

Hori founded the Japan Short Sleepers Training Association in 2016. He reportedly has taught over 2,100 people to become ultra-short sleepers.

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One of his students said she started cutting back on sleep four years ago and has gone from eight hours daily to just 90 minutes while her skin and mental health are in “great condition.”

But Dr. Thomas Kilkenny, director of the Institute of Sleep Medicine at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital, has doubts about Hori’s claims.

“I find it very hard to believe that this gentleman only sleeps 90 minutes daily. This seems to be impossible,” Kilkenny told The Post. “No one knows exactly why we sleep but it is well understood that sleep deprivation causes extreme negative effects on the mind and body.”

Experts recommend adults get seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Less than six hours may lead to weight gain, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke or depression.

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“Continued lack of sleep will cause death. Sleep deprivation is banned by the Geneva convention as a form of torture. A human cannot function correctly without the proper amount of sleep,” Kilkenny continued. “I doubt this gentleman’s story is accurate and it definitely is not going to increase his life expectancy.”  

Hori’s extreme sleep style has divided the internet, as some critics praised the fitness model’s dedication while others are concerned about his well-being.

“He is a true master of time management. I also want to learn how to sleep less and work more efficiently,” one person wrote, according to the SCMP.

“This is overdrawing one’s life in advance! Even if the brain can stay awake, the heart won’t be able to handle it,” another added.

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Hori is the latest in a line of entrepreneurs in a battle against Father Time.

Bryan Johnson, 47, said he spends around $2 million a year to bio-hack his body into regaining its youth.

In 2023, the software developer claimed that he has the heart of a 37-year-old, the skin of a 28-year-old, and the lung capacity and fitness of an 18-year-old.

Johnson’s routine includes a 5 a.m. wakeup time, a one-hour exercise regimen, four to five hours of “concentrated thought,” 111 supplements, a 2,250-calorie vegan diet, a rigid bedtime routine where he’s hooked up to a machine that counts his nighttime erections.