Japan PM dismisses haunting rumours at official residence

Japan's Prime Minister has sought to debunk persistent rumours that the official residence is haunted, stating the building should be viewed primarily as a workplace rather than a site of paranormal activity.

During recent remarks about the residence, the Prime Minister acknowledged encountering a cockroach on the premises but made clear he had observed no evidence of supernatural phenomena. The comments appear aimed at laying to rest long-standing folklore about ghostly apparitions that have circulated among staff members and officials over the years.

The official residence, a significant symbol of Japan's political leadership, has been the subject of numerous anecdotes regarding unexplained occurrences and eerie incidents. Such rumours are not uncommon in older government buildings across Asia, where cultural traditions and local folklore often intertwine with institutional history.

The Prime Minister's pragmatic stance reflects a shift toward treating the residence as a functional administrative space rather than engaging with the supernatural narratives that have accumulated around it. His comments may help normalise perceptions of the building among staff who work there, focusing attention on its role as a workplace for Japan's highest office.