And so it begins … this time in Japan

 

1. So much for sumo wrestling.

   Posted by harleycowboy58       04/02/2008  at  03:10 PM  



2. Interesting.  This isn’t making news in Japan.

   Is the Guardian a real news source or are they sort of like The Onion?

   Posted by Kuso JiJi       04/02/2008  at  04:39 PM  



3. Someone please tell me this is a gag.  Some years ago, I debated this with some friends.  None of us thought it could actually happen.

   Last thought.  My own waist size is 32”, only slightly smaller that the 33.5” specified.  I’m a bit taller than the average Japanese, but that’s still a pretty tight specification.

   Posted by Dr. Jeff       04/02/2008  at  04:49 PM  



4. Sorry guys, April Fools was yesterday. This article actually ran several weeks ago.
   See Japn’s Bulging Waistlines Trigger Flab Tests in Land of Sumo:
   

   Companies will be required to cut the number of overweight workers and dependents by 10 percent as of 2012 and 25 percent by 2015. Failing to do so will result in a surcharge of as much as 10 percent on contributions to a fund for elderly care. Insurance groups paid 6.4 trillion yen into the fund in 2004.

   There is also a discussion going on over Japan Today (in English).

   Also see SeekJapan, where a similar article tells us that folks there who really get into shape can be “Metabo Rangers” to help others.

   The Bloomberg story also ran in The Japan Times, but I can’t locate it online.

   Posted by Drew458       04/02/2008  at  08:37 PM  



5. did some checking and the story is legit alright. not much is being made of it as far as i can tell.  japanese eating habits have changed drastically over the years (and i’m not just talking about my wife). the obesity rate is not anywhere near the level it is in the US.

   japanese are a bunch of lemmings. they have this “it can’t be helped” mentality about so many things they get screwed at every turn. the government charging them for being fat is nothing unusual to get anybody balls in an uproar.

   on the plus side, mcdonalds and kfc have filled japanese women out in some of the right places so its not all bad.

   hey that japantoday site is a real hoot. if you like busting the balls of people who whine and complain about America day in and day out, its not a bad place to sharpen the ol teeth (although the moderation heavily favor the America bashers).

   Posted by Kuso JiJi       04/03/2008  at  06:44 AM  

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