Japan’s ‘Best Sleeper’ Contest Gives Competitors 90 Minutes to Drift Off

A competition in Japan has turned falling asleep into a competitive pursuit, challenging participants to lie down, relax and drift off as quickly as possible.

The entrants, who dubbed themselves “professional sleepers,” took part in a contest billed as a search for the “best sleeper,” with 90 minutes set aside to determine the winner.

Rather than demanding physical exertion or a display of stamina, the challenge called for the opposite: settling down and surrendering to sleep.

The unusual event offers a contrast to Japan’s reputation for hard work, in a country where insufficient sleep is a concern. For these competitors, at least, getting some rest was the goal rather than something to put off.