Times-Union readers want to know: Is it true that a Japanese law makes it illegal for citizens of that country to be overweight? Well, it is true that the country requires that companies and local governments measure the waistlines of citizens between the ages of 45 and 74 as part of their annual checkups.

Japan's "overweight rule" is officially known as the Metabo Law (Metabolic Syndrome Law), introduced in 2008 to combat rising obesity and healthcare costs. It is not a law that punishes individuals with fines or jail time, but rather a mandatory health screening for citizens aged 40 to 74. During an annual physical, the government sets strict waistline limits: 85 cm (33.5 inches) for men and 90 cm (35.4 inches) for women. If an individual exceeds these limits and has weight-related blood pressure or cholesterol issues, they are required to attend mandatory counseling and health education sessions. The "teeth" of the law are aimed at employers and local governments. Companies that fail to reduce the number of overweight employees in their workforce can be hit with significant financial penalties—sometimes millions of dollars—which are paid into the national healthcare system for the elderly. This creates a corporate culture where companies actively encourage exercise and provide healthy cafeteria options. While it might seem intrusive to Westerners, the law has been credited with helping Japan maintain one of the lowest obesity rates and highest life expectancy rates in the world.