Japan aims to save money by heading off health risks related to obesity, with dietary 'counseling' for anyone over 40 years old found with...

...if you're male, a waist measurement over 90 cm that's 35.4 inches to you and me and 85 cm for females that's 33.5 inches.

The first thing that struck me was boy I must be very close to being 'counseled'. Then it struck me, well how are they going to check. Will they ask shop assistants to snitch on anyone buying clothes over that size? Or will they be sending round the waist inspector to check up on everyone? It brings a whole new meaning to dreading a late night knock on the door!

In fact it's more likely to be at the free yearly health checks your company provides that you will be found out. The results from these checks don't come to you, they go to the company to make sure you're fit for work.

What I want to know is, will they renew my visa if I stray over the waist size? And Japan really does throw you out if you over stay your welcome.

Democratic Party of Japan (The Opposition) Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa has this week declared that Christianity is an "exclusive and self-righteous religion" he followed that up with "It [Islam] is better than Christianity but it is also exclusive.". Finally coming out in support of, Buddhism with "It teaches us a state of mind and way of life from the start about how human beings should be." He added that the cause of the current social turmoil in Japan is that Japanese people are losing their original spiritual values.

I'll leave you to make your own mind up about him but I will tell you that the Japanese have nicknamed him "The Walrus".