[MMM]

Where I live occupations are generally 8 hours a day, so if you are working 16+ hours a day, then it is likely your occupation will dictate your body.

There are standardized BMIs and although I don't think rewarding or punishing could work in the US, I could see how it might work in Japan. It's not simply "the government" deciding. It would be health care officials, doctors, etc.

On the other hand, what we are doing in the US now is not working. Obesity and extreme obesity are becoming the norm. I remember coming home from Japan and really being disgusted by looking at people walking around the mall. Look at the food that is advertised in commercials here. The vast majority of it is unhealthy, from Double Quarter-Pounders to Sizzlin' Skillets at Chili's...it's mostly sugar and fat.

I am not sure how you can say health education and sex education are "apples and oranges". Learning about healthy choices in diets and learning about healthy choices in sex pretty much go hand in hand. They are both about learning about your body and deciding what is best for you.

About that office place, there are exercises you can do sitting at your desk. Again, you can either make excuses or make decisions. It's all about mindset. The city I live in has the highest percentage of bicycle commuters in the country. It is also one of the rainiest cities. Still, people bike to work.

Since when do Japanese businessmen have more vacation time than in the US?