Measuring 56 million middies.

• Position: JAPAN - Brief article

Except for sumo wrestlers, Japan is not known for overweight people. But the country has undertaken one of the most ambitious efforts ever by a nation to slim down. Under a new national, law, companies and local governments must measure the waistlines of people between the ages of 40 and 74, as part of their annual, checkups. Those exceeding government limits--33.5 inches for men and 35.4 inches for women--will receive dietary guidance if they don't rose weight within...