Fat is illeagal in Japan!
By CraftyCorner
@CraftyCorner (5600)
United States
June 28, 2008 7:38pm CST
Japan recently passed a law requiring companies and local governments to measure the waistlines of Japanese people between the ages of 40 and 74 as part of their annual checkups. Those who exceed the government's limits--33.5 inches for men and 35.4 inches for women-will be given three months to lose weight, and if that doesn't do the trick, "those people will be steered toward further re-education after six more months," according to the Times, which adds that "the government will impose financial penalties on companies and local governments that fail to meet specific targets."
Remind me never to live in Japan!
5 people like this
15 responses
@twallace (2675)
• United States
29 Jun 08
I know that would be something hard to do here in the US putting a limit on how much weight that people gain. Now that is really something the government putting a limit on the weight that a person can gain. Could you picture that here in the US everyone would be small that there would not be anyone over weight or with health problems dealing with being over weight. But I know that would be heard. I'm glad that they don't have something like that here. Telling people that they can't gain weight or eat. Wow that is really something. I wonder how the people there feel about that you can't gain to much weight or you will be put on a diet.
@CraftyCorner (5600)
• United States
29 Jun 08
I wouldn't be too sure with the way Bush and Cheney behave. They are pretty fast and loose with executive power and may decide that fat cells are terrorists.
@momalisa65 (1971)
• United States
29 Jun 08
That actually sounds like a good idea. Lol!
I was thinking the other day as I was driving home from work and there was a speed limit sign, and next to it was one of those signs that light up telling you the speed that you are actually going.
I always slow down enough that the speed I'm going matches the speed limit sign.
That day I started thinking there should be 'weight limit' signs and when we get over that weight, we would have to pay a fine.
That would help me to lose weight I'm sure!
2 people like this
@CraftyCorner (5600)
• United States
29 Jun 08
That would not be helpful here in America when most food produced at reasonable price is designed to make you fat.
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I've a medical problem plus medication that causes obesity. I do eat healthy, but I am one person. American families are literally fat on the fryer.
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Vegetables are priced sky high. Lean meat higher still. Fruit is unfordable at nearly $3 for an apple. Potatoes are $5 for a ten pound bag, a decent loaf of good bread almost $8. Milk costs more than gas. Juice with out sugar, I don't even look at that.
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Starchy white bread with lots of corn starch can be had for under $4. Quart of soda pop can be had for a buck.
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If you've a family to feed on stagnant wage, you aren't going to be able to feed them low fat on todays' prices. Don't add insult to inflation and overwork.
@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
29 Jun 08
Yes, my boyfriend was telling me about this. He was telling me that people in Japan cannot be fat anymore. I used to be obese, but since I have lost close to 50 pounds, I am just overweight. I still have a long way to lose the rest of the weight that is on my body, but I am accomplishing my goal. I think that if people are fat that it is not always their fault. People have many reasons for being fat. I will visit Japan, but I hope never to live there. It is wrong to be told how much a person has to weigh. I know that the Japanese want healthy people, but I think that this is taking it a step too far.
@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
30 Jun 08
Do not be so sure of that. If obesity really gets out of control in the U.S. it could become a outlawed in the states as well.
1 person likes this
@CraftyCorner (5600)
• United States
3 Jul 08
I fear our lawmakers here. Trust me, I am very watchful of those folks and their attempt to legislate away problems.
@CraftyCorner (5600)
• United States
29 Jun 08
Tell me something I don't know. I think it will lead to eating disorders and further health problems. I just hope it doesn't cross the 'pond'.
1 person likes this
I'll remind you never to move to Japan.
Please return the favor
@CraftyCorner (5600)
• United States
29 Jun 08
I'm American, and I'm as shocked as you were when I read that little wonder!!
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
29 Jun 08
Hi craftyCorner,
I for would not like to live in Janpan not that I over weight, but really' its taken away poeoples' rights, but I do beleive the food there is quite healthy and no burgers.
Ragards
Tamarafireheart
1 person likes this
@CraftyCorner (5600)
• United States
3 Jul 08
Burgers can be obtained in Japan. McDonalds is universal. Beef is just pricey.
@fatman01923 (102)
• United States
2 Jul 08
Japan is Nuckin Futs jk but seriously I'm overweight already, I don't want to live there anymore, I will only visit if I get the chance, fat haters..
1 person likes this
@CraftyCorner (5600)
• United States
3 Jul 08
Fat is the last socially acceptable prejudice left in society today, and the folks looking for a scape goat for their problems hone in on us like hounds on blood.
@fatragu (677)
• United States
29 Jun 08
I don't think that it is fair. If they want to punish the fat people, then make their health insurance rates higher. Raise the prices on their percriptions. Give incentives for them if they lose a certain amount of weight or certain percentage of body mass.
1 person likes this
@CraftyCorner (5600)
• United States
29 Jun 08
I disagree with that because often obesity and poverty go hand and hand cuz healthy food is more highly priced than the processed, long shelf life stuff.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
29 Jun 08
The way they are going about this is completely wrong. I believe it's everyone's right to eat and be the weight they want to be. This isn't saying that people choose the weight. I understand that this law is just trying to ensure that people stay skinny and thus be more healthy, but that does not excuse how wrong of a law this is. Have a Great day.
1 person likes this
@Elixiress (3878)
•
29 Jun 08
What happens if a woman is pregnant. If she is 30 inches to start with and then gets pregnant, she is almost certainly going to go over 35.4 inches. That is really rather unfair. The theory is there though and I think that the re-education is a good step forward as people try and loose weight, but complain that they don't have the support. But fining people for being fat is a little unfair as they could be fat due to health issues etc.
1 person likes this
@CraftyCorner (5600)
• United States
3 Jul 08
Quite so. It is also very convenient for insurance companies/employers to get rid of some weeds they don't want to look after. They will then they will begin to look for other 'health' conditions they will want to 'ditch'. Perhaps it will be people with certain health histories? Government and big business are more closely entwined than ever.
@gagglefinish (132)
• Mozambique
29 Jun 08
That is not fair to people who are genetically overweight meaning those people who no matter how they exercise or take weight loss pills,they still do not lose weight.
1 person likes this
@CraftyCorner (5600)
• United States
3 Jul 08
There's nothing fair about it. It is a few steps away from making a group of people illegal. What happens when people are illegal? They are rounded up and taken who knows where.
@Nana530 (286)
• United States
29 Jun 08
Oh my goodness, that is terrible. There's no way I could live in Japan if this is their law. Do you think they will really do this?
Wonder what would happen to people who are overweight from some kind of medical problem. That would really be sad wouldn't it?
Well, I'm sure glad I live in the US and I hope they don't get any ideas to pass a law like that here.
1 person likes this
@streetidea (33)
•
29 Jun 08
Thats a good idea.. There are a lot of hardships in life, if he have excess fat... Those include stroke, heart attack chances etc... So it is better to contain the fat in body... We can do that by regulating the diet and working out for 30-60 minutes a day...
1 person likes this
@CraftyCorner (5600)
• United States
29 Jun 08
If you work 18 hours a day at three jobs (common in Japan and the USA) where do you find time for a work out?
@sweetmummy (20)
• India
29 Jun 08
OMG that's a bit crude but atleast it ensures people's health.
1 person likes this
@CraftyCorner (5600)
• United States
3 Jul 08
I am afraid I have to disagree with you there. It is pure and simple bigotry disguised as caring for health.
@Cindycrocker (209)
• United States
29 Jun 08
Reading this makes me even more proud to be American, and reminds me of how lucky we are. I can't imagine the gov. telling us to lose weight or to tell us how many children we can have as they do in China.
It is still a mystery to me how people could still live like that in this century. Power is everything to those types of governments, it is sad.
1 person likes this
@CraftyCorner (5600)
• United States
3 Jul 08
I fear our government's taste for big business and corporatism is leading us away from our forefather's dream and toward corporatism goals. I hope I am just being paranoid...
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
29 Jun 08
craftycorner woe is me I would be outlawed here. hope we do
not go that far in the US .its so darned hard to lose weight
as it is then have to worry about government laws wow that
would be really tough for a lot of us. we can put it on a
lot easier than we can take it off.so now i am going to really work on the fifty pounds I need to lose.
1 person likes this
@CraftyCorner (5600)
• United States
29 Jun 08
In my more paranoid moments I sometimes wonder if there aren't people who would want to do away with us.
