Everyone feels fat when they visit Japan. Everyone. Japan is the world’s skinniest industrialized nation thanks to a diet high in fish and some good old genetics. Still, this isn’t stopping lawmakers from trying to legislate waist lines in order to head off future health risks and medical costs.

How far are they taking things? 85 centimeters (33.5 inches) for men and 90 centimeters (35.4 inches) for women. Those are the new guidelines recommended by the government.

In recent years many companies have taken a similar approach, offering gym memberships and developing diet plans for their employees, in an effort to keep medical costs low.

Yet as someone in Japan I have to wonder what good this will do? A nation of people who are already obsessed about weight, and many who are underweight. Especially young women. Maybe instead of short term weight loss Japan should focus on long term healthy lifestyles. And while they’re at it maybe do something about the MASSIVE AMOUNT OF YOUR POPULATION WHO SMOKES!

(Via Global Post)