[Hugbees]

I read the other day that you can get fined if you are overweight in Japan, is that true? Because that sounds a little harsh.

[Eorzea]

Kind of, but it's not as harsh as it sounds:
http://www.globalpos...reaking-the-law

Here's an excerpt:

Quote

Under Japan�s health care coverage, companies administer check-ups to employees once a year. Those who fail to meet the waistline requirement must undergo counseling. If companies do not reduce the number of overweight employees by 10 percent by 2012 and 25 percent by 2015, they could be required to pay more money into a health care program for the elderly. An estimated 56 million Japanese will have their waists measured this year.

It sounds more like a company fine than an individual fine, yeah? I really don't know, though.

Apparently the "counseling" is simply a doctor visit for suggestions on how to lose weight. I don't think anyone is actually getting punished for their waist size.

I suggest reading the user comments below that article for a more realistic look at what it all means (which is pretty much nothing it would seem).

:msnstrive:

[Momotaru]

Furthermore, the doctor's visit may not even be a requirement.
I read this awhile back.. how annoying, blowing a story not just out of proportion, but changing the meaning entirely.

[Eorzea]

That's journalism for you!

What I find funny, though, is how much of a response this seems to have gotten out of people: increased gym memberships/etc. Then again, that's Japan for you! People absolutely love jumping on the bandwagon over here. For example, a new banana diet? Special banana cases are sold out within days. Billy's Boot Camp? Don't even get me started on that. Things peak in popularity over here within days/weeks and are then completely forgotten about as soon as the next big/popular/hyped thing comes along.

I suppose this part of Japanese culture is also responsible for the fact that people buy used clothes/electronics/cars/etc. far less frequently than in a lot of other countries. It's new or nothing!

Anyway, I'm getting off topic.

What I find disturbing about the issue at hand are the waist measurements listed in that article and what will be considered "overweight." Are you kidding me?

:msnpoop: