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Chubby Japanese people are helping game makers get rich photo

[As originally posted on Japanator]

At sister site Japanator, we continue to follow the strange eating habits of the Japanese people, and recently we've noticed that their habits have taken an unhealthy turn. Even their fast food, like McDonalds Japan's Mega Mac and Mega Teriyaki (903 calories and 64.3 grams of fat), are getting out of hand as far as calories and serving sizes go. Perhaps all this pigging out had something to do with the new healthcare initiative that started this week. Japanese companies and local governments must now measure the waistlines of all employees and family members over the age of 40, and if they go past these preset guidelines, their employers are fined... for every inch over the maximum. It was reported that NEC Corp. alone is having to dish out $19 million already!

It may be a crazy law, but Japan is trying to keep their people healthy and shapely. The government's goal is to reduce the overweight population by 10% over the next four years, and 25% over the next seven. It would be easier to reach this goal if they would just shut down the fast food joints.

So, who is getting rich from this health push? Game companies. Konami is pushing their Dance Dance Revolution series as physical education products. They're pushing these products on schools, where the kids are tubby and lazy, or hospitals, for medical benefits. Since they're approved medical devices, schools and hospitals can send the bill to the insurance companies. On top of all of this, Konami also operates a string of healthcare clubs.

Nintendo is also promoting the health values of their wand-waggling games, though the health benefits of these motions are still disputed. One thing's for sure: their latest title, Wii Fit, is little more than a weight management system with an included scale.

It sounds crazy, but if your boss and his company had to shell out for your belly bulge, you'd probably be looking for a quick solution. The new guidelines dictate that men whose girth exceeds 33.5 inches and women whose waistlines exceed 35.5 inches are considered overweight. Cutting out Mega Macs and hitting the Wii Fit board might help save your job!

What do you think. Is Japan the next America? Could you imagine getting heat from the boss about your waist size? That's like the military here!

[Via Stockhouse]








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Dale North is Destructoid's Editor-In-Chief, a founding editor, and specialist in Japanese gaming. An accomplished musician, Dale was reporting from Japan during the earthquakes of 2011. Luckily, he got the fuck out alive and is home in America now with his wife and beloved corgi, Einstein. Dale is also a co-founder of Destructoid's sister anime site Japanator. Likes Corgis, Sega Saturn, PSP, iPhone, Photographic tools. Meet the rest of the team



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13 comments | showing # 1 to 13
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EternalDeathSlayer's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 15:00
EternalDeathSlayer
If that is a law for real, then I feel bad for those people. That's outrageous. Just saying.....
MechaMonkey's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 15:05
MechaMonkey
Fat people are illegal in Japan: CONFIRMED!
mix's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 15:11
mix
That law is crazy!
When I used to weigh around 150 pounds (6' 1") I looked like I was sick! 190-200 is where it's at!

My girlfriend wants to buy that damn wii fit thing and I keep telling her NO as she hasn't touched the Wii in 3 months and don't want to waste $100.
deletemyaccount's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 15:19
deletemyaccount
It's outrageous as a law, but I'm all for eliminating fatness and getting everyone in shape. Fat people are just so handicapped in many situations.
JamnOnTheOne's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 15:31
JamnOnTheOne
I wish fat people were fined like that in the U.S.

Of course our health care system is completely f'ed up anyway so it wouldn't help us anyway.
Wexx's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 16:21
Wexx
That's INSANE. But, I wish they did that in the US. So many fatties.
bleep's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 16:25
bleep
Those Japanes need to leave the over eating to the experts



Spooky Electric's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 18:38
Spooky Electric
Hold up. Men are supposed to be thinner than women? WHAT? I'd understand, perhaps, if they're measuring hips, since women HAVE actual waists and men are pretty much poles from head to toe, but waists?
Oh well, at least it only applies to 40 year olds, whose chances of looking attractive are pretty slim to begin with.
Poopface Morty's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 21:10
Poopface Morty
33.5 inches?! Jesus fuck, I work out harder than anyone I know, and I bet mine isn't less than 34, and I'm down to 185 at 5'10".

It's nice to see some way to get people back into shape and keep health care costs down, but I'm pretty sure this isn't the right way to go about it. In-house employee incentives for staying in shape with co-ops between the employer and health-insurance companies would be a much better route.
kratosmaster's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/28/2008 02:19
kratosmaster
Japan leading the way for realistic but harsh laws? I can dig it.
Burnt Meatloaf's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/28/2008 03:44
Burnt Meatloaf
You know, I've always seen the Japanese as silly and weird, but never stupid.

Fining employers for their employee's eating habits is concentrated stupid.
Rifter01's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2008 04:59
Rifter01
I'm not fat, I'm just 6 foot 1. :P I think this explanation on WiiFit as a weight management system is too funny and too true. LOL
nintendoll's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2008 23:06
nintendoll
That's funny, since a couple years ago a friend and I did a presentation at an elementary school gym class to show how DDR helps kids have fun and get exercise. We also did this presentation at my high school for the gym teachers.
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