Japanese City Enacts Law Requiring Residents to Laugh Every Day
In a unique move, Japan’s Yamagata prefecture has introduced a law to promote better physical and mental health through daily laughter. Passed last week, the law is inspired by research from Yamagata University’s Faculty of Medicine, which highlights the health benefits of laughter and its potential to enhance longevity. Residents are encouraged to include laughter in their daily lives, whether it’s a chuckle, giggle, or hearty laugh. Businesses are also encouraged to create environments that promote laughter among employees.
The law designates the eighth day of each month as a special day to highlight laughter’s health benefits. However, some politicians have opposed the law, arguing it could infringe on constitutional rights and may not be practical for those who cannot laugh due to illness or other reasons. Critics like Toru Seki from the Japanese Communist Party and Satoru Ishiguro from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan believe that mandating laughter is inappropriate.
In response, Kaori Ito from the Liberal Democratic Party explained that the ordinance does not mandate laughter and respects individual choice. There are no penalties for those who choose not to participate. The goal of the law is to foster a positive atmosphere and raise awareness about laughter’s potential health benefits, rather than making it a requirement.
