Japan: Obesity
If you live in Japan and are between the ages of 40 and 74, your employer is empowered to measure your waistline. The “Metabo Law” was instituted in 2008 to curb rising obesity rates and promote healthier lifestyles. It’s not illegal to be overweight, and you won’t be fined or jailed. But if your waistline is larger than the government-mandated limits, you’re given dietary guidance and your company could be fined.
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My wife's friend has been pulled in for the tests a few times. Despite being very skinny they told her to keep an eye on her waist. She told them they're being a bit extreme, she'd given birth to three kids, including twins etc.
It does sound very extreme and coming from a country where obesity seems incredibly rare already, its a bit odd. They have all the fast food and unhealthy stuff just like we do in the west. Except they just seem so much more disciplined when it comes to stuff like this.
Your wife's friend lives in Japan?
Yeah. She's from the UK originally. But went over there, met a guy and ended up staying.
Seriously? She must have taken on their citizenship then? They wouldn't have questioned a foreign citizen like that would they?
I was about to say she went all the way and speaks & writes fluently etc (or by our standards at least). But apparently no, she's not a full citizen. So yeah they really do hassle people over this 😐
Wow...that is incredible! I can only imagine the uproar if that was tried in Canada — or, hopefully, most other countries.
I'm almost in two minds about it. If it's done appropriately it could be a positive. It shouldn't be taboo to discuss weight and acknowledging the health risks associated with it. Yet it's complicated having these conversations because of the mental health issues that go with it. I'm never a fan of these things being mandated or enforced. Even if it's your employer being penalised for this, that's still enforcement.
You're absolutely right. Nothing wrong with discussing — and should be encouraged really. But attaching penalties in any way just hits wrong.
Why does it seem like we only copy the dumb stuff from other countries?🤔
Wait have we copied this? Am I out of the loop lol
Or did you mean how come we didn't copy this 💀
We've started copying the stupid age verification thing other countries are doing but not this. I feel like maybe this is something we should try to copy. Although I'm sure the morbidly obese would never stand for it. 😁😉
Truth ⬆️
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