Sublime

One of the most common sayings in Japan is “Hara hachi bu,” which is repeated before or after eating and means something like “Fill your belly to 80 percent.” Ancient wisdom advises against eating until we are full. This is why Okinawans stop eating when they feel their stomachs reach 80 percent of their capacity, rather than overeating and wearing

The overweight in Japan are subjected to immense social pressure to change, including taunts of metabo—short for metabolic syndrome—and unwanted belly-patting from strangers.