Detractors slam laugh ruling as laughable Japanese told by law to laugh once a day

Critics defend the right to be glum after decree promoting health benefits.

People who laugh more are less susceptible to heart attacks, according to a study. Picture: Getty Images

Politicians in Japan have introduced a rule calling on citizens to laugh at least once a day because of evidence that it reduces the risk of a heart attack.

Members of the assembly in Yamagata prefecture in northern Japan passed the ordinance last week, inspired by research at the local university.

Opponents insist that laughter is nothing to do with politicians and that the dignity of the mirthless must be protected.

The rule, proposed by the conservative Liberal Democratic Party that holds a majority in the assembly, decrees 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”.

It also orders businesses to “develop a workplace environment filled with laughter” and it designates the eighth day of every month as a “day of laughter”, when it will be promoted with particular vigour.

But the decree has angered those in the assembly’s opposition camp.

“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.

Satoru Ishiguro, a member of a coalition called the Prefectural Politics Club, said it discriminated against those with disabilities that prevented them from laughing. “The human rights of those who have difficulties laughing due to illness or other reasons must not be undermined,” he said.

One of the angriest reactions came from Shigeru Minamino, an expert on Japan’s constitution at Kyushu University. “To sum it up: don’t be ridiculous. It’s none of your business,” he wrote.

“I believe it is good to laugh at least once a day but that’s down to my personal opinions and values. It’s not something to be ordered or recommended by a prefectural assembly.”

The controversy originates in a scientific paper published five years ago in the Journal of Epidemiology by a team from the Yamagata University School of Medicine. It is based on a survey of 17,152 people aged 40 and younger who responded to a questionnaire about laughter frequency, and whose health was tracked over several years.

The researchers found those who reported laughing at least once a week were less likely to experience cardiovascular problems than those who did so less than once a month, allowing for other factors such as age, smoking and alcohol consumption.

The scientists caution that their study has its limitations.

“In this study we defined ‘laugh out loud’ as laughter,” said the team led by Kaori Sakurada. “Accordingly, silent laughing and smiling were not counted as laughter.”

But even putting aside grinning, beaming and silent snickering, they believe their study has clear implications for health policy.

“Our findings suggest that increasing the frequency of laughter might reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and increase longevity,” they conclude.

“Our findings support the positive effects of laughter therapy, such as laughter yoga for longevity.”

Yamagata is not the only Japanese prefecture with laughter legislation. Hokkaido has designated August 8 as a “day of laughter” (8/8 can be pronounced in Japanese as “ha-ha"). Osaka also has similar programs.

Kaori Ito, one of the sponsors of the Yamagata ordinance, emphasised that it was not mandatory and that no one would be arrested or imprisoned for failing to laugh. “The ordinance does not force people to laugh,” she said. “It also emphasises the respect for an individual’s personal decision.”

THE TIMES