Being fat in Japan is now apparently illegal

[Nomad]

I came across this in a Swedish newspaper just now, but since most of you aren't swedes, I found an English source as well. I've also done a quick forum search as well as site search to check that noone else has made a topic about this, but the search function is a bit dodgy, so I hope I haven't missed anything. Anyway...

Apparently Japan has passed a law that establishes a maximum waistline circumference. This law is accompanied by mandatory waist measurements for the citizens, and if you're too wide, you are by law obligated to get weight counseling if your waistline doesn't decrease in 3 months. If you insist on staying too fat, you may have to pay a fine.

The maximum measurements are 90 cm for women and 85 cm for men.

Source [http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/japan/091109/fat-japan-youre-breaking-the-law]

What's your view on this? Over-zealous or a necessary evil in order to curb weight-related health issues?

 

[AxelMiller]

but since most of you aren't swedes.

Im pretty sure there is plenty of swedes here.

 

[Canton]

I'm a bit skeptical. We're talking about the land of sumo wrestlers here.

 

[Neonbob]

Hah!
That's hilarious.
I suppose they had to make sure it was still possible to cram tons of people in a train somehow.

I suppose it's a bit overzealous, but I can't really say it's anything but comedy to me.

 

[TheNumber1Zero]

I find it quite foolish and a waste of time. Is there a law on how thin one may be?

 

[quiet_samurai]

Lol good!

We should adopt that in America for a year... somebody call Obama.

 

[AlbinoBob]

Swedeeen rules!

 

[Dahni]

theoretically it's a sound idea, but it's a bit of a ridiculous measure to try reduce the waist-line of people.
imagine how long & how much money it would take to measure everyone, find out who is fat, then to check up on them three months later and possibly issue a fine...

 

[Wadders]

Fucking A! That is brilliant.

We need it here. Now!

 

[purplelion]

That's a low blow... not to mention shallow.
I like that!

 

[Vault boy Eddie]

Japan, doing something weird? The land of used panty vending machines and anime where big monstrous aliens rape little 5-6 year old girls making fat asses illegal? Sounds about right for them.

 

[TheNumber1Zero]

I'm skeptical. They're talking about the land of sumo wretlers here.

Didn't think about that. It's a terrible law that should be dropped immediatly

I think I can speak for pretty much everyone on these forums when I say.
Lulz. That is all.

That's the last Bloody straw, what the Bloody 'Ell does Lulz mean?!

 

[Ph33nix]

80cm man thats not much. i think... i havn;t checked my wait line in a long time.

 

[RebelRising]

Would I be wrong in anticipating a rash of anorexia cases just to save money on fines?

Shit, I couldn't make this up if I tried.

 

[Amnestic]

Foolish. People are different heights and thus different builds. Sliding scale depending on height>>>Set figures across the board.

On the whole though? Probably not a bad idea assuming it's just a fine they face. It's not as if America isn't charging people extra depending on their weight - airlines charging fat people for two seats, ambulances charging more for obese patients and the like.

The U.S. is 67%~ overweight and 34%~ obese. Could probably do with cutting back.

 

[Omikron009]

That's ridiculous, and quite funny. And I'm glad I'm not the only person here who realized that the national sport of the country is SUMO WRESTLING.

 

[Nomad]

I'm a bit skeptical. We're talking about the land of sumo wretlers here.

I would assume the sumo wrestlers can get some sort of fatness-permit. Whew, that's a sentence I never thought I'd be writing...

 

[Nomad]

Foolish. People are different heights and thus different builds. Sliding scale depending on height>>>Set figures across the board.

I agree, it'd be more logical for them to go with BMI or something if they have to regulate it.

I just measured my waist for comparison, and I'm at 70 cm. And I'm so thin that the doctors scold me every time I'm doing a health checkup because I don't eat enough.

 

[Lullabye]

theoretically it's a sound idea, but it's a bit of a ridiculous measure to try reduce the waist-line of people.
imagine how long & how much money it would take to measure everyone, find out who is fat, then to check up on them three months later and possibly issue a fine...

its japan, the place that while the world was having an economic crisis, they were building a gundam. I don't think they care too much about money. Besides, japan can accomplish anyhting as a nation if they set their minds too it.