Japan mandates daily laughter quota for all citizens by law

In a one-of-a-kind move related to public health, Yamagata Prefecture in northern Japan has made daily laughter compulsory for its citizens, based on evidence linking laughter to a reduced risk of heart attack.

This ruling, which was enacted last week, draws on a five-year-old study from the Journal of Epidemiology by Yamagata University School of Medicine, which underlined multiple benefits of laughter.

What does the laughter ordinance state?

It intends to push Yamagata residents to "deepen their understanding of the beneficial health effects of laughter and make efforts to shape mental and physical health through means such as laughing once a day."

Workplaces have also been asked to inculcate "an environment filled with laughter" and the eighth day of each month is assigned as a "day of laughter" to further promote this practice.

Representational Image| Japan News

However, the mandate has attracted a fair share of criticism.

Japan Communist Party assemblyman Toru Seki argued, ¡°To laugh or not to laugh is one of the fundamental human rights guaranteed by the constitution regarding freedom of thought and creed as well as an inner freedom.¡±

Satoru Ishiguro of the Prefectural Politics Club added, "The human rights of those who have difficulties laughing due to illness or other reasons must not be undermined."

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The underlying study behind this move involved 17,152 participants under 40. These participants revealed that they had to fill in a questionnaire detailing their laughter frequency, and thereafter their health was tracked over the years.

Findings indicated that those who laughed at least once a week had fewer cardiovascular issues compared to infrequent laughers, although only audible laughter was counted.

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What are the benefits of laughter?

As per lifestyle websites, laughter offers numerous benefits, which include enhancing efficiency, boosting the immune system, and releasing positive hormones. It also generates a sense of simplicity and belonging, ultimately creating positive work and home environments.

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By reducing stress, laughter elevates the immune system, making people less prone to diseases and better equipped to handle challenges.

Additionally, laughter releases endorphins, reduces stress hormones, alleviates pain, burns calories, and stimulates organs.

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