According to a recent government survey, Japanese women have actually grown slimmer over the past dozen years. Unfortunately, Japanese men have grown fatter.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry conducted the survey during the fiscal 2004-2006, to collect data on physical size required for apparel, electric appliance, automobile and other manufacturers. The survey covered around 7,000 people aged between 19 and 80.

The survey showed that for women in their 40s, the average weight had declined to 52.8 kilograms, down 1.3 kg from the previous survey covering fiscal 1992-1994, while the average height had increased by 2.6 centimeters to 157.1 cm. Following the trend, there was a decrease in average weight and an increase in average height for women in their 20s, 30s and 50s.

For men in their 40s, the average weight had increased to 69.8 kg, up 4.0 kg, while the average height had increased by 2.8 cm to 170.1 cm. The average weight for men aged 30 or older also increased.

“The diet and supplement boom has contributed to the slimming down of women,” a METI official said. “Fewer men now enjoy sports like golf and baseball, while more men are engaged in office work with personal computers,” the official said. “Men lack exercise.

Who cares rite? As long as Japanese women all look as good as my favorite idol Yuriko Shiratori (白鳥百合子).