Japanese grab girdles as obesity crisis looms

[Foxy Brown]

There was a time when hungry Japanese would pause to remind themselves of the old adage, "Hara hachi bunme" or "Stop eating when you're 80% full". Now the advice is being routinely ignored as the country faces record obesity levels.

Men are said to be the worst offenders. An underwear maker, Triumph International Japan, said yesterday that its new line of male girdles had proved such a hit that it was stepping up production and had plans for a summer model.