It is mandatory under law for people of THIS country to laugh once a day
Japan
Japan seems to be taking laughter pretty seriously, at least a particular region is. As per a rule, the citizens are now required to laugh at least once a day based on evidence that it reduces the risk of heart attack. In the Yamagata prefecture in northern Japan, an ordinance was passed last week after a study was conducted into it at the local university.
The rule is based on a scientific paper published five years ago in the Journal of Epidemiology. The team from Yamagata University School of Medicine conducted the study which states that there is compelling evidence that laughter comes with a bunch of benefits.
The laughter rule states that Yamagata citizens “will 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 directed to create an "environment filled with laughter”. The eighth day of every month has been designated as a “day of laughter” when laughter should be promoted even more.
However, the rule is being opposed by several politicians who say that it adversely affects those who cannot laugh, besides infringing on their constitutional rights. “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,” said Toru Seki, assemblyman for the Japan Communist Party.
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Satoru Ishiguro, of the coalition called the Prefectural Politics Club, said, "The human rights of those who have difficulties laughing due to illness or other reasons must not be undermined."
There are others who say even though laughter is a good thing, it is still a personal choice and people should not be forced into it by law.
The laughter study
Nearly 17,152 people aged 40 or younger participated in the study. They filled in a questionnaire detailing their laughter frequency, after which their health was tracked over several years. The results showed that those who laughed at least once a week were less likely to develop cardiovascular problemsas compared to those who did soless than once a month.
However, only "laugh out loud" was considered laughter, while silent laughs weren't taken into account.
