Big in Japan? You're Breaking the Law!

[Miktar]

In Japan, being thin isn?t just the price you pay for fashion or social acceptance. It?s the law. [...]

In Japan, already the slimmest industrialized nation, people are fighting fat to ward off dreaded metabolic syndrome and comply with a government-imposed waistline standard. Metabolic syndrome, known here simply as ?metabo,? is a combination of health risks, including stomach flab, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, that can lead to cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Concerned about rising rates of both in a graying nation, Japanese lawmakers last year set a maximum waistline size for anyone age 40 and older: 85 centimeters (33.5 inches) for men and 90 centimeters (35.4 inches) for women.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/j...eaking-the-law

[pArkEr]

And Japan's gaming industry collapses...

[Miktar]

Wut.

[dammit]

Eh, not a bad idea. Better than laws against telling people they're fat ;)

[pArkEr]

...as millions of gamers flee the country.

[BattleMoose]

I actually support this, really I do. Although it might rise some moral questions for people who are fat for genetic reasons, although, that never really made much sense to me how that would work......

HOLY ****, there is some epic lightning here......

[vii]

I actually support this, really I do. Although it might rise some moral questions for people who are fat for genetic reasons, although, that never really made much sense to me how that would work......

HOLY ****, there is some epic lightning here......

I too support this initiative. It's better than the "DON'T CALL ME FAT, I DON'T LIKE BEING CALLED FAT".

I too am slightly overweight, but I've started exercising and it's paying off. If it becomes part of our everyday lawful lifestyles, over some time it'll be second nature to most people. :D

Also. Epic rain and lightning here too.

[The Dash]

The image of Fat Police™ walking around measuring people made me laugh :D

[CrashHelmut]

I actually support this, really I do. Although it might rise some moral questions for people who are fat for genetic reasons, although, that never really made much sense to me how that would work......

Well, what if you have some westerner genes for instance?

I mean, I've had a 36" waistline since the age of 19 or so. And no, I'm not fat, BMI of 22.

[Miktar]

...as millions of gamers flee the country.

More like, 10,000. Japan has very, VERY few overweight people.

[wir]

The image of Fat Police™ walking around measuring people made me laugh :D

Stop right there fat scum! Pay the court a fine or serve your sentence!

[dislekcia]

Stop right there fat scum! Pay the court a fine or serve your sentence!

And the chase scenes wouldn't be entertaining at all :(

[Squid]

And the chase scenes wouldn't be entertaining at all :(

Yeah, "resist arrest" probably won't go down well.

[FaNbOy]

Well, there goes Sumo wrestling...

[Graal]

Japan has very, VERY few overweight people.

They're just too close to level 80 to give a damn about eating.

[Darkmag]

And the chase scenes wouldn't be entertaining at all :(

Unless he rolls.

Have to admit 33.5cm waist is very small. But a law like this is still a good idea imo.

[ioiiooio]

I don't know, seems a bit wrong to take away someones right to choice. And what kind of punishment are we talking? If it's fines then I don't see how that would help anything - on the other hand if it's something like forcing them to go to on some kind of diet plan and seeing a Psychologist then I'm cool with that, but even then: what do you do of they refuse? Throwing them in prison would be an abuse of basic human rights. I don't know, it just seems a very silly law to make. I mean, whats next, and where do we draw the line and tell the Government to STFU and mind it's own business?

[Demikid]

This is almost the same law Paris Hilton declares in the movie Click and well since she's not the brightest bulb that does bring up the question: How smart is the Japanese government if they're like Paris Hilton

[Falafel]

Unless he rolls.

Have to admit 33.5cm waist is very small. But a law like this is still a good idea imo.

33.5cm? That IS small, but 33.5 inches is not a small waist by any means.

[Darkmag]

33.5cm? That IS small, but 33.5 inches is not a small waist by any means.

Ha my bad, when I see measurement I always assume metric, 35" is about 84cm.