Japan Passes Law to Promote Laughter for Mental Health Boost
Yamagata (Japan) has enacted a new ordinance encouraging its residents to laugh every day in an effort to promote both mental and physical health. The eighth day of each month has been designated as “Laughter for Health Day.”
This ordinance, which was proposed by the Yamagata Liberal Democratic Party before being passed, stipulates that each individual should laugh at least once a day and make an effort to create a work environment conducive to laughter. This initiative is based on scientific research that has demonstrated the multiple health benefits of laughter.
The ordinance draws inspiration from research conducted by the Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, which found that laughter can help reduce mortality rates associated with various diseases, including those of the cardiovascular system.
This ordinance falls within a range of “unconventional” measures implemented in Japan, such as the law against destroying banknotes, which is an offense punishable by imprisonment.
While this ordinance aims to promote public health, it has not been met with unanimous approval from the population and parliamentarians. Members of the Communist Party and the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan have opposed the ordinance, arguing that laughter or the lack thereof falls under the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Japanese Constitution.
Some have also expressed concerns about the ordinance’s potential discriminatory nature towards individuals who have difficulty laughing due to illness or health conditions. The Liberal Democratic Party, on the other hand, has defended the ordinance, emphasizing that it does not force people to laugh but rather encourages them to do so without imposing penalties on those who do not comply.
A 2020 study published in the journal “Epidemiology and Community Health” found that people who don’t laugh much or at all have higher mortality rates.
Yamagata’s enactment of this ordinance underscores the growing recognition of laughter and its contribution to overall well-being. While the ordinance has drawn criticism, it reflects an innovative approach to promoting the mental and physical health of the population.
