Aimed to reduce obese population by 10% over the. [26] According to the WHO report, "Several countries use fiscal measures to promote availability of and access to certain foods; others use taxes to increase or decrease consumption of food; and some use public funds and subsidies to promote access among poor communities to recreational and sporting facilities. Metabo Law is essentially a preventative measure. [38] While this tax was a failure in terms of changing consumer habits overall, it did achieve some of its goals in the short term. Failure to meet these standards resulted in fines to the local governments and large employers (Japan has a universal healthcare system that operates through the local government or employers). The Metabo Law was named after metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions, including high blood pressure and excess body fat, that can increase the risk of serious medical ailments: Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions increased blood pressure, a high blood sugar level, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. . You can be jailed for putting ice cream in mailboxes. In the test both men and women are required to stay under a waist circumference of 33.5 (85cm) and 35.4 (90cm) inches. Why this seemed like a good idea to said employee, I cannot tell you but I can tell you that the government didnt agree. The Metabo Law. decided to use a BMI over 25 to define obesity, in which case 24.7 percent of Japanese age 15 and over were obese in 2002. So, in 2008, Japan banned its citizens from being fat. The country's Ministry of Health argues that the campaign will keep the spread of diseases like diabetes and strokes in check. The Metabo Law. Japan is unique in its own, and boasts of fascinating culture and social paradigms that one can't find anywhere else in the world. [25] When the National Diet introduced the Metabo Law, many misinterpreted it to mean being overweight in Japan is illegal. [35][36] The failure of Denmark's fat tax was also due to financial reasons, with politicians identifying the fat tax as a funding source for the government, rather than a health initiative that attempted to improve the health outcomes of society. Metabo is a shortened version of the term metabolic syndrome, and this is where the law takes its name from. [34] However, in November 2012, the Danish Tax Ministry announced it would abolish the fat tax,[35] stating that it failed to change Danes' eating habits, had encouraged cross border trading, put Danish jobs at risk and had been a bureaucratic nightmare for producers and outlets. It is an irony though that the country so concerned about metabolic syndrome, has the third largest number of per capita cigarette consumption outside Eastern Europe. A 2004 study showed gradual increases in childhood obesity rates in Japan since 1980, so why arent the government doing anything to monitor the waistlines of school children? Navigating a Serbian / Japanese relationship in Australia. 3, 2008. Check your email for magic link to sign-in. There are numerous exercise classes available in Japan specifically designed to fight against metabo many of which incorporate catchy songs with metabo themed lyrics. No, it is not illegal to be fat in Japan. The waistline circumference limits are . The Metabo Law was implemented into Japan's society in 2008 with the goal of adjusting Obesity rates country wide. Reason 1: It's mostly in the art style. People are not personally punished for their weight in Japan at least, not in a legal sense. Taxing the corporations and local governments rather than the general public . Sumo wrestlers are celebrated Japanese athletes, and none of them meet the recommended waist size do the government make exceptions for those involved in sumo wrestling? If the government only measure peoples waistlines after the age of 40, are they ignoring the issue of childhood obesity? In Japan, your boss can legally tell you to lose weight. The countrys Ministry of Health argues that the campaign will keep the spread of diseases like diabetes and strokes in check. This material may not be reproduced without permission. Compare this with Australia that has around 60% of Australian adults classified as overweight or obese. It might sound impossible and immoral to non-Japanese residents, but actually, when you take the culture into consideration, its not so surprising that something so unconventional works over there. Ill leave you to do the math on how rigidly this particular law is enforced by authorities. Many Westerners criticize this law because they dont think the government has any right to dictate someones waist size. The differences in thresholds reflected variations in height and body type from Japanese men and women. But private research on thousands of Japanese indicates that the average male waistline falls just below the new government limit. Welcome back! It might come as no surprise to learn that the country which implemented the fat tax was none other than Japan. The effect, they say, will be to encourage overmedication and ultimately raise health care costs. [6] However, there is also evidence that obese individuals are less responsive to changes in the price of food than normal-weight individuals. Unlike individuals, however, companies and local governments can be assessed financial penalties if the citizens in their charge do not meet government standards: To reach its goals of shrinking the overweight population by 10 percent25 percent over the next seven years, the government will impose financial penalties on companies and local governments that fail to meet specific targets. The role of employers and local government was to ensure there was a minimum of 65% participation, with a goal to decrease Japan's obesity rates by 25% by 2015 and failure to meet these goals results in a fine. The law is targeted at companies, which could face penalties if . Japan being a country that has been said to have been ahead . Welcome back! There are vending machines selling alcoholic drinks at many train stations, and its totally okay to grab one for your stroll. [7], To implement a fat tax, it is necessary to specify which food and beverage products will be targeted. The mayor wants it banned if it squeaks, claps, bangs, or makes any noise that sounds like fingernails on a chalkboard. For example, in the United States, the fact that junk food is cheaper than healthier food can be linked to the obesity epidemic, especially poorer households. The simple answer to this is no. Doctors and health experts have said the waistline limits conflict with the International Diabetes Federation's recommended guidelines for Japan. Would you turn up to have your waistline measured? The music can keep playing, but the lights have to be switched on to at least 10 lux. Answer (1 of 6): This answer will be rather short, and simple. Betting In Japan Ways To Legally Gamble Without The Casino, How Japan Is One Of The Safest Countries In The World, What Is Kanreki? There is, however, something known colloquially as Metabo Law that has been in place nationwide since the year 2008. Being fat in Japan. The Metabo Law sets guidelines for monitoring waistlines for citizens between 40 and 74. An even larger number, 72% of Americans, also believed that a tax would not actually help people lose weight. Found the internet! Lets delve a little more into how Metabo Law came about, and what it looks like on the ground. Now if you did this in the United States, there would be benefits, since there are many Americans who weigh more than 100 kilograms, or about 220 pounds, Mr. Ogushi said. This led to an increase in awareness of MetS as a health condition, especially among men, causing a rise in concern and active preventive measures such as exercise and diet. The New York Times wrote: "To reach its goals of shrinking the overweight population by 10 percent over the next four years and 25 percent over the next seven years, the government will impose financial penalties on companies and local governments that fail to meet specific targets. Human Resources Development. Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com. 56 million Japanese are . Sharing Thoughts, Stories, And Ideas About Japan, Japanjunky 2023. ", "Denmark introduces world's first food fat tax", "Denmark to abolish tax on high-fat foods", 'Fat Tax' in Denmark Is Repealed After Criticism, "Study: 'Fat tax' made Denmark healthier ", "In a first, Kerala imposes 14.5% 'fat tax' on junk food", "Why has an Indian state imposed a 'fat tax'? It is policed through an annual mandatory check up of the waist measurements of 40-75 year-olds thats over 56 million waistlines, or about 44 percent of the entire population. Introduced in 2008. The waistline limit for men is 33.5 inches and for women, it is 35.4 inches. Let's go an. However, one of the great joys of visiting the nation is observing a whole country that is so collectively well-organized and ordered and this is thanks, in large part, to all these little rules. Lets unpick some of the most commonly discussed weird laws in Japan and find out which are true and which are simply urban legends. As mentioned earlier, uptake of lifestyle intervention programs is statistically poor amongst those identified as having waistlines above regulation size. In Japan there is a culture called Metabo Check [] or the famous Tape Measure Test that can be seen constantly in anime, but which became an official law called Metabo Law. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. Companies like Matsushita must measure the waistlines of at least 80 percent of their employees. Metabo Law, introduced in 2008 (read more about this here) enforces mandatory waist measurements for citizens between the ages of 40 and 74. This is an actual law in Japan since 1948 an accidental flash of the thigh area can carry a prison sentence of up to 29 days. If you are found to be above the recommended measurements, your company or local authority could be forced to pay a fine on your behalf. What kind of behavior could get you into unexpected trouble on your Japanese odyssey? [14] Research indicates that the current obesity epidemic is increasing as a result of the fast food industry expanding. Citizens here now have to comply with a government-imposed waistline standard, the maximum waistline size for anyone age 40 and older is 85 centimeters (33.5 inches) for men and 90 centimeters (35.4 inches . All that modern medicine can do is give drugs to slow the progress of the disease. This must be done with care, because a carelessly chosen food tax can have surprising and perverse effects. For these reasons, the law has had long-term success in decreasing the rates of metabolic syndrome within the target population, and with luck this will in turn help create a healthier ageing population. Victoria Kim writing for PolicyMic.com says that: NEC, Japans largest maker of personal computers, says its possible to incur as much as $19 million in penalties for failing to meet their targets. While it is true that you cant smoke on the sidewalks in Japan, you will find numerous designated smoking areas in public outdoor areas that you can use to satisfy your cravings. In fact, even if youre a retiree your former company can still be fined. Ouch. [8] For instance, consumption patterns suggest that taxing saturated fat would induce consumers to increase their salt intake, thereby putting themselves at greater risk for cardiovascular death. This is one of those urban legends many of us have heard about the unique culture of Japan that a person can be fined or charged simply for being overweight. But a growing concern in Japan over the spiralling health costs of an ageing population which would only be greater if afflicted by metabolic syndrome caused the Government to act. Thanks to this law, obesity rates have fallen to barely 3.5 per cent, one of the lowest levels in the world. Heightened levels of either of these are serious and can be unknowingly present in thin people, so why isnt this also being screened? The numbers in this longitudinal study do indicate that the majority of people who were found to be over the recommended measurements, and who went onto participate in a weight loss program were successful in their weight loss. This is a delightfully quirky little law. With no visible paunch, he seemed to run little risk of being classified as overweight, or metabo, the preferred word in Japan these days. It's first emperor was believed to be a direct descendant of the sun. American women did not fare as well, with an average waist size of 36.5 inches, about two inches above their threshold of 34.6 inches. One could argue that the introduction of pro-active health-boosting initiatives by companies and local authorities eager to avoid fines is a success in itself. I'm doing some research in the Japanese healthcare system and I notice there's a law known as the metabo law issued by the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Labor in 2008. Public health practitioners and scholars in a range of different countries have called for a fat tax on unhealthy foods. Yoichi Ogushi, a professor at Tokai Universitys School of Medicine near Tokyo and an expert on public health, said that there was no need at all for the Japanese to lose weight. A law in Japan makes it illegal for citizens of that country to be fat. No! The young who are most attracted to Western style foods and culture so it will be interesting to see how the Metabo Law survives as the next generation steps up to have its waist measured. It should also be remembered[weaselwords] that taxing foodstuffs is not an argument for increasing taxation. For example, between 2008 and 2015, the Act required 65% attendance for annual check-ups for the 40-74-year-old target population and a decrease in the rate of MetS within the local population by 25%. In January 2008, Japan passed the "Metabo Law" which requires men and women between the ages of 45 and 74 to have their waistlines examined once a year and potentially seek medical treatment if their . Internationally, the presence of three or more risk factors indicates MetS, however in the case of Japan, waist circumference (WC) is identified as a necessary component, and thus the central focus of the Metabo Law. Government-enforced weight and size restrictions may seem like an alarming concept from a Western perspective but in Japanese culture, collective community goals like this one arent unusual. Junk food outlets are changing the dietary habits of society, pushing out traditional restaurants and leading to the detrimental health effects of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. It might seem strange, then, that Japan took the step of introducing one of the worlds most restrictive laws around personal weight management in 2008. 2. If a man measures above 33.5 inches, and a woman above 35.4 inches this is considered above the recommended measurements. The city had to measure at least 65 percent of the 40- to 74-year-olds covered by public health insurance, an extremely difficult goal, acknowledged Midori Noguchi, a city official. The link mention explains it, it was written to talk a lot about the metabo law but it seems the author had to change his tune too after speaking with some people in Japan. [citation needed] Other taxes can be reduced commensurately if the overall objective is to keep the tax take neutral. Five studies published between 1981 and 1998 found that drinking declined as the price of alcohol increased. Note: some sources are in Japanese. When Japan struck companies in 2008 with unconventional legislation (the "Metabo Law") to tackle obesity, job seekers in good shape may have had doubts about adding the size of their waists to their CVs next to the "Experience" line. Japan's largest maker of personal computers, says it's possible to . However, it also highlights that the vast majority of people offered a weight loss program chose not to avail of this service and we have no data on whether these people remain overweight. Those exceeding government limits 33.5 inches for men and 35.4 inches for women, which are identical to thresholds established in 2005 for Japan by the International Diabetes Federation as an easy guideline for identifying health risks and having a weight-related ailment will be given dieting guidance if after three months they do not lose weight. Japan. This is another one of those laws thats so specific you wonder what the origin of it was. User account menu. Comments posted by readers of internet articles that did not poke fun at the law instead raised "Big Brother" cries, accusing Japan of fascism, government-endorsed discrimination, and of being a nanny-state.4 Bits and pieces of this story were told in these . It is important to know as a person traveling to Japan that there are no restrictions on your waist size, and you will not be subject to any waist measurements while in the country Metabo Law is for citizens only. The company has decided to nip metabo in the bud by starting to measure the waistlines of all its employees over 30 years old and by sponsoring metabo education days for the employees families. Numerous studies suggest that as the price of a food decreases, individuals get fatter. Furthermore, there isnt much focus on health disparities between different socio-economic groups, which are a known determinant of health and shouldnt be overlooked. The Metabo Law was introduced in 2008 by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare. Reportedly, as per the 2008 Metabo Law, the government . How Japanese Celebrate Their 60th Birthday. Promotion of Balancing Work and Family. AMAGASAKI, Japan Japan, a country not known for its overweight people, has undertaken one of the most ambitious campaigns ever by a nation to slim down its citizenry. The rate of smokers in Japan is extremely high. A fat tax aims to decrease the consumption of foods that are linked to obesity. 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