New Law in Japanese Prefecture Nudges Residents to Laugh Every Day

There’s a common saying: Laughter is the best medicine — and it seems it’s being taken to heart in one part of Japan. The local government in the Yamagata prefecture has passed a law nudging residents to laugh at least once a day.
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We know what you may be thinking, but no, this is not a joke. According to Firstpost, the first-of-its-kind ordinance is inspired by research from Yamagata University indicating that laughing can potentially reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and boost longevity.
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Aside from encouraging daily chuckling, the rule proposes that residents “deepen their understanding of the beneficial health effects of laughter.” Additionally, businesses are urged to create more cheerful atmospheres (i.e. an “environment filled with laughter”), and every eighth of the month is officially designated as “a day of laughter.”
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All that said, no one will be locked behind bars for having an off day: The rule doesn’t force laughter but rather aims to steer residents in a more lighthearted direction. Here are some ways we can all find more humor in our daily lives.