Japan, Seeking Trim Waists, Measures Millions
 

Under a national law that came into effect two months ago, companies and local governments must now measure the waistlines of Japanese people between the ages of 40 and 74 as part of their annual checkups. That represents more than 56 million waistlines, or about 44 percent of the entire population.

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. The country’s Ministry of Health argues that the campaign will keep the spread of diseases like diabetes and strokes in check.

Should something like this be initiated in Japan and other places of the world, say the US? Why or why not?

Do you think it could happen in the States?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/13/world/asia/13fat.html

I think something like this should happen, especially starting in schools at a young age. In a country where people think a 64 ounce Diet Coke is a making a healthy choice, something needs to be done, and that means starting early.

Unfortunately Americans live in a country where we feel fat is our freedom, without fully understanding that obesity is one of the biggest causes of health problems (from joints to heart disease) and that besides a longer life span, it is a major drain on tax revenues, from welfare to medical costs.

This should totally be started in America. I think most fat people in America don't realize how fat they actually are.

Hmmm, I've had diabetes since '95, and the most I've ever weighed was 117 lbs. I was just weighed yesterday, and the result was 111 lbs. My point is that while obesity can lead to diabetes, it isn't necessarily the cause of it, as proven by myself and three of my cousins.

I feel it would be better though if there were stipulations for certain jobs when it comes to weight; I've seen "policemen" and customs officers that look like they wouldn't be successful if they had to chase somebody by foot because they are so out of shape.

It's one thing if you have one of those medical conditions that make you obese(my old endocrinologist has a condition like that), but seriously, that seems to be a convenient excuse for the great majority of those people. One thing I DO know is that if you're extremely overweight and are going to travel by plane, you have to pay for two seats because of all the space that's being taken up.

Taken from CR :p
Crunchyroll - Forum - ALOT of Japanese girl's Thighs dont touch at the top, why is that??

Hmm...iffy subject...My mother has been overweight since she was a child, and it's not because she likes it or anything, it's becuase of her genetic make-up. I think that this could be useful, but I also believe that there should also be some standards.

People who cannot help the fact that they are overweight, or do not fit the government's criteria because of they're genetic make-up should be exucsed, and given more help than they already have to become healthier, and perhaps, eventually, fit the criteria that the government has set upon them.

But if you want my personal opinion, I think it's a buncha crap. XD Governments try so hard to "Out-Do" each other that they sometimes lose focus on what really should be taken care of. I'm not saying obesity is not an important problem, like I said, I've seen the consequences. What I'm saying is...there are wars out there, people that are not being taken care of in countries arcoss the world, and we focus on the population's waist measurements?

That's just my personal opinion...

Hope it helps,

~HonoraryJapaneseGirl~

I believe that you can have a genetic predisposition toward gaining weight - but not that it means you are destined to be overweight. It`s just easier to get there. Wrong choices do more damage - but the damage won`t happen if you don`t make the wrong choices. Anyone is capable of being thin, and I think that blaming it entirely on genetics is denial. There are a few medical disorders that cause you to be overweight, but short of that it is indeed your choices.

With this study in Japan, it`s to check the status of workplaces to allow opportunities for people to move around - get a healthy lunch - etc. Places that offer few "moving" breaks (long enough to leave the company and walk around for a little bit), and short lunch times tend to have more overweight employees. Even if they have the same amount of total breaks a day. You`re far more likely to take a walk outside if you have a single 30 minute break than if you have three 10 minute breaks. You`re also more likely to eat a healthy lunch if you have 60 minutes for your lunch break rather than 30. Combine that with a desk job, and you`re basically not moving at all during the day.

This measuring the waistlines thing is definitely not new though - they`ve been measuring them at all the national and company health checks for at least 8 years. (When we started taking part in them) You get weight counseling if your waist is over a certain size.

I don`t really think it should be done in US schools. Children themselves are not really the problem. It`s parents who see childhood obesity as "baby fat" or the like and teach their kids that a fast food meal is okay if you order a diet drink on the side.

What I mean is, health eating education is not coming to many children at home, so I think the schools need to step up. I am not saying overweight kids should be expelled, but I think there are ways to counsel kids into better habits.

Where I live in recent years the corporate sponsored football fields are being rejected as usually the contract means putting Pepsi machines in high schools. In recent years these are being tossed out of schools and replaced with healthier drinks. More things like this need to happen.

This same thing was done at one of my old schools. Did it change anything? Of course not. School isn't the only place children buy drinks. It won't be a place they're going to buy drinks if it doesn't have the drinks they like (the unhealthy ones). This is something that has to be fixed by the students, the school can't do it for them.

By letting Pepsi machines sit inside school, it tells students that drinking soft drinks every day is a good things.

You can't say taking soft drink machines out of schools does nothing to help.

A lot of schools have closed campuses, so little things like this can make a difference.

And how exactly does that tell them that it's a good thing?

Yes, actually I can say that. I've been in a school (like I said before) that has taken soft drink machines out, and replaced them with "healthy" drinks. What happens? Nothing. We (students) stop buying drinks from the school and get our "unhealthy" drinks elsewhere.

Most of the people I know, didn't buy soft drinks from schools to begin with.

A school is an educational institution. Allowing candy bar machines and soft drink machines in the schools is the same as endorsing them.

Sure, teenagers have more freedom and ability to guy buy whatever they want, but tweens and younger kids don't have that freedom as much (some not at all) so it is probably more effective for them.

There were no soda machines in my school growing up, and I think that helps endorse the idea that soda is a sweet treat, and not a way of life. I know guys from the south that grew up with soda in school. and they drink it by the truckloads (and are obese).

I agree, some are just more prone to weight gain than others, especially if it's genetic. I know it is in my family. The majority of my father's side is overweight. I'm overweight as well. My own father used to weigh over 300 pounds, until he became diabetic and lost most of the weight years ago. He's like 220 maybe now. He's kept it off too. When did they stop? As a kid, for health class, we were always taught about how eating junk like candy or cakes wasn't good for you or drinking things like sodas were bad for you and how sugar in general wasn't good for you. It was told to us. If the kids don't listen, oh well. I know I didn't. I ate home-cooked meals. My mother didn't let me have a lot of stuff, just occasional treats, but when I wasn't at home, and had some "pocket money", I would buy snacks in school or buy whatever tasted good for lunch. I guess the only thing schools should do, is have healthier menu choices, not teach something that's already apart of the curriculum. Middle School and High School had terrible menu choices (health wise). That's where the majority of my unhealthy eating was done.

Overweight families like to claim their size as a genetic disposition, but I don't think there is a lot of evidence to support that.

I knew a family that was of that mind-set when I was in high school. I would visit them for dinner and eat 1/4 to 1/3 of the amount of food each member of the family ate (they were all overweight). "How can you not be full?" they would ask after I consumed 2 tacos to their 6 each. That isn't genetics, but lifestyle patterns.

Obesity has skyrocketed in the US in the last 50 years, but we still had the same genes we did in 1950s. Evolution 1) doesn't work that fast and 2) doesn't work to kill a species. As Nyororin said, you can argue that some people might have slower metabolisms, but it is the food they put in their bodies that makes them fat, not their genes.

And that is great that your father lost 80 pounds. He is proof it can be done.

I am not sure why schools shouldn't teach something that is already part of the curriculum, but it is hypocrisy to teach healthy eating habits, especially at such a vital age, and then line the hallways with machines serving the snacks that the curriculum says should be avoided.

Should people be rewarded, say money or whatnot, for returning to approved weight/health? Should they be punished the same way for not remaining at the approved weight?

I think the idea that your weight is something that you yourself are the master of needs to come back to the surface.

Many companies thrive by paying people to meet goals and punishing for not meeting goals. We learn those standards in grade school.

Why do we pretend personal health is something we have no control over, when it is the one thing we probably have the most control over in our lives?

i agree. many schools with healthy, more nutritious food tend to be better. the students are getting their required vitamins, meaning no crashing. i think waist checks are good, it helps people to live healthier lives

1. So then I take it then you say no to rewards and no to punishment in the form of money, grants or preferential treatment in general to individuals, schools, or businesses? If this is what you are saying, then I have to agree.

2. If the one thing we have the most control over in our lives is personal health, why should the Japanese or US government play a role in measuring waists and setting standards of the correct sized body and then rewarding or punishing accordingly? Who is government to decide how think one should be?

3. It is not natural to be over or under weight. But we are also a product of our occupation (physically active vs physically inactive), the free time we have and other variables such our commuting options in where we live, amount of lunch time, amount of vacation, amount of hours we work a week. This, like others have mentioned in this thread, is a big contributor. The other is simply the idea of bringing your own meal and not relying on the options the student or office worker is confined to.

2. That's a very libertarian attitude, but it is like saying "Since we decide if we are going to have sex, why should there be sex education in schools?"

The reason is that education gives ammunition to making informed decisions. I am not saying education will stop kids from drinking pop all day, just as sex education doesn't stop teens from having sex, but on an individual basis educated people make better decisions than uneducated ones.

3. No, we are not the product of our occupation, unless we work 16+ hours a day. Just a few minutes a day of physical activity can have remarkably positive effects on our bodies. Again, you are falling into the "I am not in control of my body" thought. I know people who bicycle to work (I did when I lived in Japan), who jog on their lunch breaks, work out after work... Your occupation does not determine how healthy you are. You do.

i think most people would agree with you, but alot of people are tired of fat people complaining that people are being fatist towards them. like the lady who sued a movie theatre because they were too small for her, or the people who get fat eating mcdonalds everyday. you would think after they gained weight they would question the fast food first and stop, but i guess not. also inactive work doesnt neccessarily mean you can use it as an excuse to be inactive in your free time , or find a way to be healthy during work. the principal at my old high school used to join morning excercises for PE somedays instead of sitting in his office, but most of the time he was up and walking around doing things. I think the reason their doing it is because people dont care about themselves. you have the freedom to be overweight, but that doesnt mean its a good decision. by being overweight you have a higher chance of getting diabetes and other diseases along with it. i also think that the japanese are doing this because of the decrease in its population and the many people who die while at work who refuse to stop working.

[ Originally Posted by clintjm View Post
2. If the one thing we have the most control over in our lives is personal health, why should the Japanese or US government play a role in measuring waists and setting standards of the correct sized body and then rewarding or punishing accordingly? Who is government to decide how think one should be? ]

What happened to your response to item #1?

2. I said "why should the Japanese or US government play a role in measuring waists and setting standards of the correct sized body and then rewarding or punishing accordingly? Who is government to decide how think one should be?"

That isn't libertarian. Also don't compare this to sex education in schools. Thats apples and oranges.
And I'm not anti-health ed either so I don't know where that came from. I don't think the government should be involved in #1 measuring waists and then b. rewarding entities based on the results.

3. Well an occupation in general is more than 16+ hours a day, and that is the occupations I'm referring to, so then I guess we agree that that one's occupation plays a role.

So a person that is on his feet all day and has a physically demanding job versus the person confined to a desk all day is not a product of occupation? If your occupation only allows a 30 min lunch vs a 1 hour lunch is your diet and mental endurance going to suffer? Does the office one work in have a place just to walk and not by a highway? Does the office/occupation allow for walk breaks? Is the employee stationary all day for hours on end?

If you are working high hour demanding week with a 1 hour driving commute one way. Your physical activity is going to suffer, not to mention your diet. In the average urban sprawl areas of America, you do not walk anywhere. Its from building to car to building.

Now the average salary man in Japan definitely has this life style too, but diet options (even outside of the home) are better
and the amount of physical commuting is definitely more. Not to mention Japanese have much more vacation than the average American counter part. Overworking definitely takes its toll on the worker as does like of vacation and rest.

Commuting options are limited to the location of your home and place of business (not just the distance but also the physical location). Your are not going to be biking or walking in say many parts of the US simply because it is not an option - it just simply is not. Not being biker or pedestrian friendly in the least... its down right dangerous and not an option. Buses and trains are simply not an option either in many places as well and where they are, most are not even close to a flexible schedule.

This is not to say that there are places where people could have a healthier commute or lifestyle and chose not to, but you surely can not say that for everyone.

There is also the relationship between food and stress. Occupational stress.

Where I live occupations are generally 8 hours a day, so if you are working 16+ hours a day, then it is likely your occupation will dictate your body.

There are standardized BMIs and although I don't think rewarding or punishing could work in the US, I could see how it might work in Japan. It's not simply "the government" deciding. It would be health care officials, doctors, etc.

On the other hand, what we are doing in the US now is not working. Obesity and extreme obesity are becoming the norm. I remember coming home from Japan and really being disgusted by looking at people walking around the mall. Look at the food that is advertised in commercials here. The vast majority of it is unhealthy, from Double Quarter-Pounders to Sizzlin' Skillets at Chili's...it's mostly sugar and fat.

I am not sure how you can say health education and sex education are "apples and oranges". Learning about healthy choices in diets and learning about healthy choices in sex pretty much go hand in hand. They are both about learning about your body and deciding what is best for you.

About that office place, there are exercises you can do sitting at your desk. Again, you can either make excuses or make decisions. It's all about mindset. The city I live in has the highest percentage of bicycle commuters in the country. It is also one of the rainiest cities. Still, people bike to work.

Since when do Japanese businessmen have more vacation time than in the US?

I agree with most of what you say here. People can sue but they shouldn't be awarded anything. Why should people care if fat people complain like in your example. Just ignore them. They complain that they didn't know a twinkie is fattening so they call on the government to put nutrifacts all over vending machines and the cost of millions to the snack companies. Companies should fight back in court even if it does cost them more than the lawsuit. Fight to have laws in-acted against these frivolous lawsuits. The question is do we really think the average person is not smart enough to know that a cheeseburger slathered in thousand island sauce is going to be high calorie and fat. The answer is, if they didn't know then its just ignorance. If they can read, they can obtain this information.When they realize they are exploding... it should be a clue.

If you can't fit in an airplane seat well I think the customer should have the option to buy too seats. What about very tall people? Should they have to buy too seats? What about the bodybuilding monster or sumo wrestler?

I see your point, and this ties in with MMM's point on this too. My point was the average worker in America has little free time or are worked daily to mental exhaustion or physical exhaustion from lack of rest - lack of vacation. This lack of time leads to the poor choices of fast food when in most cases those are the choices. Its not always that they don't care about themselves, its just that from this continuous cycle, "the daily grind" leads to this. Add in kids to the cycle and this just exponentially adds to this. The average American household today vs. the Japanese household is mostly a dual income family which is a BIG problem. There isn't a home maker any more.

Yes... you are both correct that both diet and exercise are the answer to this... I'm just saying that people occupation and commute, amount of rest and vaction play a heavy role. Stress as well.

There are more workaholics in America than in Japan today. Tobacco and alcohol aren't the best for you either... Do we need more government for this too? Too much of anything is bad for you.

you make a good point, but tall people were born that way and i havent heard anything about body builders sueing. But most people know that some food can kill you but they continue to eat it, just like how smokers know cigarettes can kill them but continue to smoke. maybe it takes an outside source to get people to correct this. im not saying its right to take away peoples freedoms, but taking care of your body is a responsibility and should be treated right

Average hours worked per year by country.

I think you are placing too much emphasis on the workplace as the cause of obesity. In fact, I think it is probably the opposite.

Socio-economic status is factor. The less educated and poorer you are, the fatter you tend to be. The hardest workers and richest people are not the fattest. It is the uneducated. Look at the floor on Wall Street or the board room at a New York attorney's office (hard working people who tend to work the longest hours). Then go down to the unemployment office and look at the line. Where do you think you'll find the higher percentage of overweight people?

Sorry I was reading it as 16 hours a week for some reason.
The average american work week is no longer 8 hours though. 50-60+ hour weeks are more common. Thus America is working itself to death slowly.

Apparently the American government feels (in HR 3962 SEC. 2535 - the House Health care bill) that losing weight or eating better, no smoking and no drinking, deserve grants and contracts. This applies to business and schools.
If we have all this control, do we need our respective governments to reward / punish these entities or individuals based our individual decisions or the hand delt to specifics? Do we need our employer watching what we consume? Do we need to burden children more about their weight in addition to the current stress of school?

Yes you are right. These same food choices though are available in Japan. Its just the traditional diet and healthier alternatives are also readily available. I definitely agree that healthier affordable choices should come to America.

Drop the sex ed thing.. its so not what is being discussed here.

If you live in Seattle or Portland, sure.... the most biker friendly commuting citites in the nation. Now try to commute on your bike in the north east of the urban sprawls of the south east and your in for a world of hurt. Will you at least agree that biking and walking are just not options in many parts of America?
You haven't heard? The USA is a No-vacation nation.

http://www.law.harvard.edu/programs/...o_Holidays.pdf

2004? Come-on... its almost 2010.

here.
[url=http://www.oecd.org/home/0,2987,en_2649_201185_1_1_1_1_1,00.html[/url]
Its lower than 2008 because of the massive unemployment and reorg of companies.

[quote=clintjm;782272]
If you can't fit in an airplane seat well I think the customer should have the option to buy too seats.
QUOTE]

Um, if you are severely overweight, you're forced to buy two seats, it's not an option. If you don't, you won't be getting on the plane because it adds weight, you won't fit into one seat, and as a result, cause less comfort for the rest. This happened to my father; the woman next to him was so over weight, she was practically sitting on him, and had such a hard time just getting into the seat, he had to wait to get off the plane to go to the bathroom. This happened BEFORE the regulation of having to purchase two seats were put into place.

The average work week in the US is 46 hours a week. That is up from 50 years ago, but down from 50 hours a week in the 20s.

That "No vacation nation" article is talking about government mandated paid vacation days. That doesn't mean that businesses don't voluntarily give paid vacations in the US or that Japanese employees take all their paid vacations.

Even if you are not in a bicycle friendly part of the country that doesn't mean you can't walk, jog, join a gym, do push-ups, or any number of things. 20 minutes a day can do wonders to a body.

Very little argument here. The least expensive food (processed foods) on the shelf in American supermarkets are just junk. But they are labeled appropriately. And if you can read then you can learn how to read the nutrifacts.

Not just workplace, but the lifestyle of the American worker based on their environment. I don't know... I see quite a mix in New York having lived their myself. Urban city environments always differ than rural because of the amount of movement required in the city.

I will agree its not *just* occupational but also in combination on where you live and income level. Less educated... hmmm.. I'm going to disagree here. Falls back on ... didn't know that <insert junk meal> was good for you - I just can't go with that.

All good points here though.

hmmmm.... what kind of outside source?

Scary thats just the average.

Of course. I don't see the difference. As I said, the Average Japanese gets more time off than the Average American.
The point is, according to the document that the average Japanese worker gets 8 guaranteed holidays (national holidays) and 10 guaranteed annual paid leave day.
Nothing is guaranteed in the US on average... Thus in the report America ZERO. I work for an company that has office in the America, Japan as well as other countries. The amount of national holidays guaranteed off in America is sad. Even the vacation time provided by the company can have a black out time, or just be foregone into cash at no choice to the employee. We should be as lucky as much as to get as much as parts of Europe get.
I will agree here too. An exercise routine is key. Most people just don't know how or how much to do... and that is why PE class or getting into some program is key when burining calories isn't part of your daily routine (aka commute). If your stressed out or get little rest though, exercise isn't happening and especially if you fall into the comfort food / stress relationship. So, yes I will agree that we should be responspible for our own diet, lifestyle to the extent we can control it, and thus, government should stay out of the picture as far as their role unless its to mandate more national holidays. America is overworked.

family member, co-worker, goverment or company rule, ,etc. just someone or something that will do what most people tend to ignore, like healthy living

I do think teaching children health habits young and leading by example is important for health. The good habit which prevent obesity should start sooner rather than later. I see people all the time who complain and say i really should lose weight or i should exercise more, they say this while chopping down a giant greasy factory of a burger and finish while washing it down with a coke or a venti extra whip chocolate frap from Starbucks. These people i dont take seriously and nature will take reap its ugly punishment on them in the form of diabetes, a stroke, heart problems ect ect. Despite what most will say image is important and when people see an overweight person they dont immdietaly think well that person but have a thyroid problem or is predisposed to being overweight (which im not sold on i dont care what science says)

Citizens should take pride in being healthy now some of us are built a bit differently and yes there will be some who are larger than others but not at the proportions i see everyday. Its laziness its not that hard to shed some pounds you dont have to go to the gym everyday you can do activties in your everyday life to help. Instead of driving to the park hey take a walk or ride a bike. There is nothing wrong with red meat in moderation but dont go whoofing down Mcdonalds (which i dont eat EVER) 4 times a week. If you are pressed for time there are other healthier alternatives to fast food. Also, mental health plays a roll in weight as well. If you are unhappy or stressed out not only will it lower your immune system but we tend to make poor choice while in this Emo state hence the snacking on unhealthy food and beverages. We all get depressed sometimes and everyone gets stressed out from time to time thats a natural part of life but we need to be more aware and train ourselves not to eat unhealthy foods when we are feeling down. If you have a beer belly well...........im not going to tell you to stop drinking beer but dont think your winning any marathons or with that gut your dragging around. If you cant walk up a flight of stairs without breathing hard you have a problem.

Having said all that do i think the Government should play a roll in curbing obesity Yes and No. No because i dont think the US nor the Japanese government should be going around the work place measuring your waist line. Not only is it an invasion of privacy but it could cause deep seeded resentment and cause more unhealthy behavior like bulimia nervosa or Anorexia. What if the person thinks their job depends on their appearance? not mention moral in the work place could fall. There are good ways and bad way about implementing change and i feel this is one of the bad ones.

However, the government should focus on not allowing such obesity to take hold and reduce it. Which means health and dietary information in schools like i said hook them on good habits while they are young or at least make an attempt. Now i know Japanese School lunches are significantly more healthier than US school lunches the US could learn a thing or two and i read an article that mentioned something like American looking at how other Educational systems function to improve it at home. I saw what my nephew ate for lunch in his Elementary school and trust me a week later he was carrying his lunch to school. Education is the key just like anything but the person also has to want to be healthy we can force people to do things more often than not it has the opposite effect. Its just like a smoker that smoker knows that smoking increases the chances of lung cancer but they continue to smoke anyway either out of habit or because they made the choice and dont care about the consequences.

I do things in moderation i take walks whenever possible and i run 3 times a week. I eat moderately healthy but every now and then i indulge myself but not everyday. I have a beer with some friends every now and then once again in moderation. Granted a person may say that im tall and thin because thats how im built but thats not the whole truth im sure if ate unhealthy all the time didnt exercise i could put on some lbs. I take care of myself but i damn well will not tell someone else how to live their life nor should the government to a certain extent. Look at the Feds have done with cigarettes they keep increasing the taxes on them so does the state. They cant force you to quit but they can make them so expensive you dont want to spend money on them anymore. Smoking is down by a significant margin in my state and the sounding ones.

Someone mentioned being rewarded for not being overweight and being punished if you are. I dont know how to answer that one but what pisses me off is that when i am not obese and in good health a couple of lazy obese people (the ones that could change if they wanted) make my medical insurance higher because they face health problems from their weight. One bad apple spoils the bunch.

I`m incredibly curious what makes you think Japan is any different.
Do you REALLY think that people actually USE those national holidays or those paid days off? Excuse me while I take a break to laugh...
No one I know in the US works as much as pretty much everyone I know over here. We`re considered amazing and my husband in a cushy job because he actually usually gets to have Saturday AND Sunday off when things aren`t busy. Most companies don`t get Saturday off - or rather, they get it off but still go to work because you know, you want to keep that job. I`d say around half go in voluntarily (without pay) on Sunday too...
Take a national holiday off instead of coming in to work voluntarily that day? Be prepared to stay the night a couple days afterward to make up for the lost time. Saved up 40 or 50 days of paid leave days is completely normal. Save up too many and you might get an offer from your employer to get a few days with overtime pay to make it LOOK like you`ve used them so that they don`t get in trouble with the government.

Guaranteed in NO WAY means what you are thinking it does. The government SAYS you need to provide those days off - but reality says that almost no one uses them, or if they do they`ll have hell to pay afterward. Volunteer work, and "paper holidays" (overtime paid in exchange for filling out a form saying you used a sick day or holiday) do not show up on charts as days worked.

I will throw in for my 2 penneths worth that skinny doesn't automatically mean healthy either. I don't mean 'underweight' by this, I mean ordinary skinny. I'm skinny but I can tell you right now I'm unhealthy because I don't exercise enough, and I can feel it in my body compared to when I did. I get tired more, I get more general aches and pains and upsets. Ok, so I'm not clinically ill or at death's door, but my dad, despite carrying a gut that would make him a stunt double for Father Christmas is probably healthier than me in some respects because of all the sport he does. He certainly has a healthier heart and lungs than my mum, who's dumpy and doesn't do any exercise at all.

Being thin is only half the battle towards being healthy; your cardio health is much less related to your lumps and bumps than people think and it's also more important, but for Japan, it's a hurdle they've already gone a way to cross. They have (or seem to have) much more sports in schools and businesses and walking/cycling is much more common. Even Japanese junk food is comparatively 'better' than american or european junk- Mr Donuts has smaller, less sugary donuts than anything i've ever come across.

In my company they do because their offices are closed.
My realitives are off as well.

You must know a lot of people. I'm glad you can speak for the nation.
Japan and the US are almost at equal in hours per week.

Funny... sounds like the US and in some cases throw in that Sunday. I had a salaried co-worker have to fight to have a couple of hours to go to church on Sunday....he was usually able to catch last mass.


Well if you are salaried you've already sold your soul to the company and there is no "overtime". So the without pay thing is mute.

Wow this sounds extremely like the US. Except for the 40-50 savings thing. Most companies I know may let you care a week over to the next year, but you can't take the vacation all at once... maybe 10 days at a time only if you can get it scheduled.
But lets stick to averages because I think we are comparing apples to oranges. I think you just described the non-salaried US Retail industry (or walmart to be exact hahaha) . The average US Salary worker get the above just like Japan.

I guess that is why travel is so pleasant on Golden week because everyone isn't off. I suppose it depends on what the job is.... I mean if stuff is closed, stuff is closed and little can be done from coming in to work. It all depends on what we are talking about... I mean transportation industry and mass retail never sleeps....

bottom line is Japan has an average of 36 days off in the year where the US has 15 max. (10 weekdays if you get 2 week vacation) and 5 national holidays (every company recognizes different US national holidays i.e. some easter some MLK day etc).

Look I'm just going with stats... working for an international company as a comparison, relatives, friends, having worked and studied there myself. There are plenty of Japanese and American reports on this. Frankly neither of which make Japan or the U.S. the happiest country on the planet. I'm saying the Japanese system continues to work hard as the U.S. does, but if you look at it... the U.S. is coming apart at the seams with no guarenteed vacation and 5-6 days of national holidays.

This isn't an exact science by any means and there will be exceptions on both side...
But something has to give...
With america being a two income family no has time to take care of things properly either... Japan hopefully isn't continuing this trend. ...but now I'm off topic.

BURGER KING：バーガーキング

American sized buns baby!

All good points.
Most Japanese HAVE to walk or bike a good distance to get to mass transportation... then walk or bike to their place of work on the other side. Repeat for the commute home. Its something you simply HAVE to do. When you have to do it, it is not the same as the US in to putting the time into going to gym or doing some exercises in the living area before you go sit in the car to drive right up to the place of work to go sit the whole day, then drive back home mentally exhausted from sitting in traffic.

This is so true on the Japanese junk food (or drink options) side.... I don't know how they do it. Try to find an Angel Cream like donut in America that tastes as good and isn't the same calorie content. American pastries and cakes always have that artificial sugar after taste ... like american supermarket sheet-cakes or cupcakes...

Interesting trivia... Mr. Donuts used to be an American franchise... if only... if only...
I'm sure its all down to the ingredients the country uses...