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From 2012 to 2021, Japan’s official PM residence stayed vacant as many Prime Ministers preferred living in private homes, citing security and privacy concerns
The residence’s reputation for being mysterious and haunted led then-PM Junichiro Koizumi to arrange an exorcism in 2001. (News18 Hindi)
The official government residence of the Prime Minister of Japan, known as Sori Keitai, has remained vacant for years, as no Prime Minister has wanted to live there due to its reputation of being haunted. The residence, located next to the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo, has been avoided by numerous leaders over the decades.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was compelled to move into the residence for security reasons, despite his reluctance. Japan’s Prime Minister’s residence has a violent past, marked by attempted coups and assassinations in the 1930s.
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The first major incident, known as the May 15 Incident in 1932, saw Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi assassinated by 11 young naval officers due to his opposition to military expansion. Despite being court-martialed, the officers received light sentences, reflecting widespread public sympathy.
Four years later, on February 26, 1936, another coup attempt unfolded. Rebel soldiers targeted senior officials, killing several, including the brother-in-law of then-Prime Minister Keisuke Okada. While the insurgents occupied central government buildings in Tokyo and assassinated multiple officials, Okada survived by hiding in a closet. A small, 1 cm hole at the main entrance of the Kantei is rumored to be a bullet mark from this attack, though its authenticity remains unverified.
These incidents highlight the turbulent history of Japan’s PM residence, showing that it has long been at the center of political upheaval and violence.
These incidents led to beliefs that the spirits of those killed now haunt the residence, creating a psychological fear among Japanese leaders.
Several Prime Ministers Have Avoided The Official Residence
The residence, although connected to the Prime Minister’s Office, does not meet modern security standards. Many Prime Ministers have chosen to live in their private homes in Tokyo, deeming the official residence unsafe for privacy and security. From 2012 to 2021, the residence remained completely vacant.
Shinzo Abe (2012–2020) chose not to reside in the official residence, and Yoshihide Suga (2020–21) also avoided it. Fumio Kishida (2021–2023) continued living in his private home, leaving the official residence largely vacant.
Following a 2023 attack, when a suspect threw explosives at Prime Minister Kishida, security agencies recommended he move to the official residence. He now mostly stays there, though its “haunted” reputation continues to be discussed in Japanese media and pop culture.
Despite this, substantial funds are allocated annually for its maintenance, with around 1.1 million pounds (10 crore 32 lakhs) spent on cleaning and upkeep.
Shinzo Abe, during his first term, lived in the residence but refused to return after regaining power, citing the presence of mysterious forces.
The official Prime Minister’s residence, Sori Kotai, has long been rumored to bring danger to its occupants. Shinzo Abe became the first PM to move out.
Following his decision, speculation grew that the residence was haunted by supernatural forces that harmed those living there. Prime Ministerial representatives later issued an official statement clarifying that there was no evidence of ghosts in the house. Despite this, Abe continued to avoid the residence, according to a report by
The Independent
.
Former PM Yoshihide Suga also opted to reside in his private home rather than the official PM residence. Even six months after taking office, he had not moved into the reportedly haunted Sori Kotai in Tokyo. The last Prime Minister to live in the residence was Yoshihiko Noda, during 2011–12.
Annual Maintenance Costs
Another concern is the high cost of maintaining the unoccupied PM residence. Around £1.1 million (over Rs 10 crore) is spent annually on cleaning the building and upkeep of the gardens, including additional payments to staff. This has led the opposition to continuously urge the current Prime Minister to take up residence there.
Exorcism Conducted
The residence’s reputation for being mysterious and haunted led then-PM Junichiro Koizumi to arrange an exorcism in 2001. The ritual was performed to ward off the alleged supernatural forces from the house.
Size Of PM House Deters Occupancy
Another reason cited for avoiding the official residence is its vast size. Unlike typical compact Japanese homes, Sori Kotai spans roughly 25,000 square meters and includes six buildings. One building serves as the Prime Minister’s residence, while the others are used for offices and VIP guest accommodations, making it much larger than most Japanese homes.
How Japan’s Prime Minister’s Residence Functions
Japan’s Prime Minister’s residence also serves as the office. The Prime Minister’s Residence Secretariat oversees all aspects, including maintenance, security, hospitality, cleaning, and staff management. Security is provided by the National Police Agency and Tokyo Metropolitan Police’s Special Guard Unit. A separate protocol team manages foreign leader visits, banquets, and press events. The combined staff for the residence and office totals around 200–250, with 50–60 people directly serving the Prime Minister.
PM House Kitchen
The residence has a full-fledged kitchen that operates separately for official banquets and PM-family meals. It is staffed with a head chef, 3–4 assistant chefs, pastry/dessert chefs, and serving staff, totaling around 10–15 people. For large banquets, additional chefs and hotel staff are temporarily brought in.
- Location :
Japan
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