The six-month rule was to make the paternity clearer cut. This is another one of those laws thats so specific you wonder what the origin of it was. First Published: 8 February 2023. According to a research collaboration done by Oxford University and Copenhagen University, it was found that 4% less saturated fat was bought and more fruit and vegetables were bought in response to this tax. In case of exceeding the maximum waistline, Having just one of these conditions doesn't mean you have metabolic syndrome. If more than one of these conditions occur in combination, your risk is even greater. Human Resources Development. According to this law, companies and local governments must annually measure the waistlines of Japanese workers and citizens who are between 40 and 74 years old. Answer (1 of 8): Not really but there are consequences if they don't abide by their law.. they have a metabo law which is designed to avoid the government and country dealing with future financial costs related to obesity and other health problems like metabolic syndrome by using these laws which. Metabo Law, introduced in 2008 (read more about this here) enforces mandatory waist measurements for citizens between the ages of 40 and 74. with 2008's controversial "Metabo law" requiring those aged 40-75 to . In fact, the OECD ranks them, with only 3% population obesity, one of the least obese developed countries. In December 2003, The World Health Organization proposed that nations consider taxing junk foods to encourage people to make healthier food choices. Itll have the same effect as non-smoking campaigns where smokers are now looked at disapprovingly.. Still, at a city gym in Amagasaki recently, dozens of residents few of whom appeared overweight danced to the citys anti-metabo song, which warned against trouser buttons popping and flying away, pyun-pyun-pyun!. [41] Kerala is the first state in India to introduce a "fat tax" on burgers, pizzas, doughnuts and tacos served in branded restaurants. What is so special about this law is that it holds companies and municipalities, rather than the people, accountable. It is a law that is meant to help people lose weight and stay healthy. [24] In 2000, a paper in the British Medical Journal outlined the potential impact on deaths from ischemic heart disease of a tax on the main sources of saturated fats. It might come as no surprise to learn that the country which implemented the fat tax was none other than Japan. The Metabo Law is one of prevention. Comparable figures for the Japanese are sketchy since waistlines have not been measured officially in the past. Im on the border, he said. Despite these statistics, something is keeping the Japanese slim whether it is the layout of their cities that encourages walking and movement, the complexities of their diet, or the government intervention. The waistline circumference limits are 33.5 inches for men and 35.4 inches for women. Introduced in Japan on 1st April 2008 to combat the rising numbers of people with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a collection of factors that increase the risk of chronic disease: abdominal obesity; hypertension; high blood sugar levels 56 million Japanese are . who follow healthy lifestyle. Just make it illegal to be overweight. At the same time, an increasing number of young Japanese women are actually severely underweight. (Title: The Reproduction Of Metabo Law Discourse In Constructing Fat Characters Stereotype In Japanese Animes) Japanese government through Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) in 2008 issued the Metabo Law regulation, which is the standard of medical and health guidance that is done specifically with the purpose to decrease the number of obesity which cause the metabolic syndrome. Even if you only know a little bit about Japan, youre likely to have some idea that its a nation that likes to do things a certain way. Reason 2: Ease. A law in Japan makes it illegal for citizens of that country to be fat. A nurse wrapped a tape measure around his waist across his belly button: 33.6 inches, or 0.1 inch over the limit. The ministry also says that curbing widening waistlines will rein in a rapidly aging society's ballooning health care costs, one of the most serious and politically delicate problems facing Japan today. 2. 3, 2008. The country's Ministry of Health argues that the campaign will keep the spread of diseases like diabetes and strokes in check. The "metabo law" requires all citizens over age 40 to have their waist measurements taken once a year. The Japanese policy, called Metabo law is, in theory, simple stay below a government-mandated waistline or face the consequences. As mentioned earlier, uptake of lifestyle intervention programs is statistically poor amongst those identified as having waistlines above regulation size. Ask it here. The same article renounces the use of force as a means of settling international disputes so yes, one could certainly argue that war is illegal in Japan under Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution. Other similar taxes on tobacco and alcohol have been found to be fairly successful, with many implementations lowering the amount of adults who smoke or drink. Although their prevalence is comparatively low, it is increasing, along with other chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. Keep it classy with this law well, as classy as a vending machine beer can be. The New York Times. Go! It should also be remembered[weaselwords] that taxing foodstuffs is not an argument for increasing taxation. The Metabo Law 2 In 2008, Japan passed the Metabo Law in an aggressive effort to cut the country's overweight population by 25% by 2015. For example, between 2008 and 2015, the Act required 65% attendance for annual check-ups for the 40-74-year-old target population and a decrease in the rate of MetS within the local population by 25%. The city had to measure at least 65 percent of the 40- to 74-year-olds covered by public health insurance, an extremely difficult goal, acknowledged Midori Noguchi, a city official. It was put in place in the year 2000, shortly after the famous cloning of Dolly the sheep in 1996. Free exercise programs and counseling are now readily available to much of the Japanese public following the introduction of Metabo Law and while cynics will say these come to a selfish motivation, at least these services are available to those who might genuinely benefit from them. [28] However, the question of whether or not taxation influences diet is an empirical question and not simply a matter of public opinion. Comments posted by readers of internet articles that did not poke fun at the law instead raised "Big Brother" cries, accusing Japan of fascism, government-endorsed discrimination, and of being a nanny-state.4 Bits and pieces of this story were told in these . The worry is that these babies will be bankrupted by looking after their elders with chronic disease. Before we had to broach the issue with the word obesity, which definitely has a negative image, Dr. Sakamoto said. The story behind this law is simple. But private research on thousands of Japanese indicates that the average male waistline falls just below the new government limit. It is likely to eventually lead to a stroke, heart attack and diabetes. [17], There is also no guarantee that consumers will change their eating habits. Foreigners tend to be shocked at the fact that a nation with such a high rate of smokers would forbid outdoor smoking. Now if you did this in the United States, there would be benefits, since there are many Americans who weigh more than 100 kilograms [220 pounds]. The law that went into effect April 1 forces companies and government, the two sources of health insurance in Japan, to measure the body fat of . A fat tax is a tax or surcharge that is placed upon fattening food, beverages or on overweight individuals. In Amagasaki, a city in western Japan, officials have moved aggressively to measure waistlines in what the government calls special checkups. 1997. Go! When his turn came, Mr. Nogiri, the flower shop owner, entered a booth where he bared his midriff, exposing a flat stomach with barely discernible love handles. There is also a thriving homebrew community in Japan that holds regular competitions and tasting events. Five studies published between 1981 and 1998 found that drinking declined as the price of alcohol increased. It is an irony though that the country so concerned about metabolic syndrome, has the third largest number of per capita cigarette consumption outside Eastern Europe. Again, critics question why the waist line is the only measurement taken if this fight is truly health-focused. The Japanese government requires people aged 40 to 74 to have their waist circumference measured each year to see if they are at risk for health problems related to obesity. However, certain companies and local government bodies can measure the waistlines of people between 45 and 74 years. These factors include waist size, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Numerous studies suggest that as the price of a food decreases, individuals get fatter. In 1942, U.S. physiologist A. J. Carlson suggested levying a fee on each pound of overweight, both to counter an "injurious luxury" and to make more food available for the war effort. Brownell proposed that revenue from junk food taxes be used to subsidize more healthful foods and fund nutrition campaigns. Taxing the corporations and local governments rather than the general public, encourages them to use their influence to create an environment that promotes health behaviours, such as offering spa packages as incentives to attend health check-ups and morning routine exercises. In addition, companies' health insurers are required . This is an actual law in Japan since 1948 an accidental flash of the thigh area can carry a prison sentence of up to 29 days. The penalties for failure to comply arent particularly harsh for the individual. decided to use a BMI over 25 to define obesity, in which case 24.7 percent of Japanese age 15 and over were obese in 2002. The "metabo law" went into effect in 2008, with the goal of reducing the country's overweight population by 25% by 2015. . [29], In October 2011, British prime minister David Cameron told reporters that his government might introduce a Fat Tax as part of the solution to the UK's high obesity rate. Fail to make the measure means counselling and lifestyle changes. [25] When Japan struck companies in 2008 with unconventional legislation (the "Metabo Law") to tackle obesity, job seekers in good shape may have had doubts about adding the size of their waists to their CVs next to the "Experience" line. In the event of MetS diagnosis, medically trained staff provide targeted intervention and education based on the severity and number of risk factors, to help patients minimise, interrupt and even reverse their symptoms. It's none of the government's business. Found the internet! In California, in 1988, Proposition 99 increased the state tax by 25 cents per cigarette pack and allocated a minimum of 20% of revenue to fund anti-tobacco education. Published with, Youve successfully subscribed to Japanjunky. A poster at a public health clinic in Japan reads, "Goodbye, metabo," a word associated with being overweight. No! Since households that are poor typically spend up to 30% of their total income on food, they would not only be unable to afford the healthier foods but they would also be forced to pay more for the foods that they could afford. Keywords: Metabo Law; stereotype; fat character; discourse; normalization process 1. To make a fat tax less burdensome for the poor, proponents recommend earmarking the revenues to subsidize healthy foods and health education. What about trying to put in place the conditions for people to continue enjoying their lives? Part-Time, Dispatched, and Fixed-term Workers. If the government only measure peoples waistlines after the age of 40, are they ignoring the issue of childhood obesity? For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800 . If you are found to be above the recommended measurements, your company or local authority could be forced to pay a fine on your behalf. The Metabo Law was named after metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions, including high blood pressure and excess body fat, that can increase the risk of serious medical ailments: Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions increased blood pressure, a high blood sugar level, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. From 1988 to 1993, the state saw tobacco use decline by 27%, three times more than the U.S. average. There are numerous exercise classes available in Japan specifically designed to fight against metabo many of which incorporate catchy songs with metabo themed lyrics. 13 June 2008. International Diabetes Federation "The IDF Consensus Worldwide Definition of the METABOLIC SYNDROME." The overall goal of a fat tax is to incentivize consumers to change their preference of specific foods which are deemed unhealthy to prefer healthier foods. The proposal got more traction when New York Assemblyman Felix Ortiz proposed taxes on junk food and entertainment contributing to sedentary lifestyles to fund nutrition and exercise programs. 2. The law is targeted at companies, which could face penalties if . Most Japanese are covered under public health care or through their work. The waistline circumference limits are . The Japanese government is mounting an ambitious weight-loss campaign. In the test both men and women are required to stay under a waist circumference of 33.5 (85cm) and 35.4 (90cm) inches. No! Even before Tokyos directives, Matsushita had focused on its employees weight during annual checkups. Nobody will want to be singled out as metabo, Kimiko Shigeno, a company nurse, said of the campaign. Change). (Jenny Craig anyone?) Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts . The law basically requires citizens aged 40-75 to have yearly checkups for their waistline, and if it exceeds a certain threshold (33.5 inches for men and 35.4 inches for . Thanks to this law, obesity rates have fallen to barely 3.5 per cent, one of the lowest levels in the world. In no time, the scary-sounding condition was popularly shortened to the funny-sounding metabo, and it has become the nations shorthand for overweight. The Japanese policy, called 'Metabo law' is, in theory, simple - stay below a government-mandated waistline or face the consequences. (LogOut/ Japan issues rare special warning as 'violent' Typhoon Nanmadol approaches Kyushu Why young Japanese are more likely to back Abe's state funeral How the U.N. became a bystander to the world's . What was the outcome? Indeed, this is a policy that would be very unlikely to be introduced in Western countries, where individual liberties are prioritized. If you are found to be above the recommended measurements, your company or local authority could be forced to pay a fine on your behalf. There is no penalty for people who dont turn up to have their waistline measured or who do not lose the weight. One could argue that the introduction of pro-active health-boosting initiatives by companies and local authorities eager to avoid fines is a success in itself. Primary prevention of CVD, diabetes and obesity occurs through MetS screening during the annual check-ups. You won't want for vegetables, but vegetarian food can be hard to find! The New York Times reported in 2008 the Metabo Law affects men with waistlines larger than 35.4 inches and women with waistlines larger than 31.5 inches. With no visible paunch, he seemed to run little risk of being classified as overweight, or metabo, the preferred word in Japan these days. This must be done with care, because a carelessly chosen food tax can have surprising and perverse effects. Success! This is a supposed law that I heard thrown around a lot before traveling to Japan that taking medicine is illegal. It is not a country you normally associate with obesity. [38] While this tax was a failure in terms of changing consumer habits overall, it did achieve some of its goals in the short term. A law was put in place making this very particular offense punishable by a hefty fine. A 2004 study showed gradual increases in childhood obesity rates in Japan since 1980, so why arent the government doing anything to monitor the waistlines of school children? Why this seemed like a good idea to said employee, I cannot tell you but I can tell you that the government didnt agree. Those include abdominal obesity, high blood pressure and high levels of blood glucose and cholesterol. Note: some sources are in Japanese. Or, if youre a family member of someone working for a large company, the company can still be fined on your behalf. It is policed through an annual mandatory check up of the waist measurements of 40-75 year-olds - that's over 56 million waistlines, or about 44 percent of the entire population. The Metabo Law sets guidelines for monitoring waistlines for citizens between 40 and 74. As part of its intensifying efforts, the company has started giving its employees metabo check towels that double as tape measures. In 2008 lawmakers in Japan passed the Metabo Law, hoping that it would stop the dreaded metabolic syndrome from affecting aging populations. Check your email for magic link to sign-in. Japan is unique in its own, and boasts of fascinating culture and social paradigms that one can't find anywhere else in the world. The population of Japan is aging and as a result shrinking. Failure to meet these standards resulted in fines to the local governments and large employers (Japan has a universal healthcare system that operates through the local government or employers). There, the cult of food is just as developed as in America, but it goes hand to hand with the cult of slimness. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. In schools it is part of the physical fitness test done on both men and women. Japan - the country where being overweight is now illegal. Furthermore, they must get 10 percent of those deemed metabolic to lose weight by 2012, and 25 percent of them to lose weight by 2015. Lets get our checkups together. Out of these people, a little more than four million are beyond the limits, so are given written recommendations. Some say since you can't be arrested that it's not a law but look at the penalties. How Japanese Celebrate Their 60th Birthday. The answer to this lies in the age bracket. If you insist on bringing medication to Japan, I suggest getting yourself a medicine carrying case and continue reading below for guidelines on what medicine to bring. His waistline was no ones business but his own, he said, though he volunteered that, at 32.7 inches, it fell safely below the limit. Mai Yoshimura, Masumi Kawamura, Satoko Hasegawa, Yoichi M. Ito, Keita Takahashi, Naomi Sumi. Fuelled by an explosion of junk food consumption, the country imposed stiff penalties on companies and civic authorities if they failed to meet preset targets on weight and waist sizes. This law requires women and men aged 40 to 74 to have their waistlines measured every year. You will be referred on for lifestyle intervention. Japans healthcare system is funded by a mixture of: Working age people pay into the system and then when they retire benefit from it, relying on the payments of those working to fund them. ", "Small Taxes on Soft Drinks and Snack Foods to Promote Health", "Irish government may introduce 'fat tax' on certain foods", Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fat_tax&oldid=1132893434, This page was last edited on 11 January 2023, at 03:39. The country's Ministry of Health argues that the campaign will keep the spread of diseases like diabetes and strokes in check. What a fat tax really means for America", "Exploring a fiscal food policy: the case of diet and ischaemic heart disease", "World Health Organization wants 'Twinkie tax' to discourage junk foods", "Taxing Sin to Modify Behavior and Raise Revenue", "New York 1 News, Poll Shows Voters Sweeten To Idea Of Sugary Drink Tax", "UK could introduce 'fat tax', says David Cameron", Japan, Seeking Trim Waists, Measures Millions, "FACT CHECK: Is It Illegal to be Fat in Japan? In fact, even if youre a retiree your former company can still be fined. [33], In October 2011, Denmark introduced a fat tax on butter, milk, cheese, pizza, meat, oil and processed food if the item contains more than 2.3% saturated fat. In 2008, Japan passed "Metabo Law" to keep its citizens' weights in check. Critics of Metabo Law hold this up as an example if the government is so concerned about public health, then why isnt smoking penalized in the same way? . What if you were in danger of failing the test? For the Soviet tax on food, see, Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale, Center for Science in the Public Interest, "Another Thing Big In Japan: Measuring Waistlines", "The Public Health and Economic Benefits of Taxing Sugar-Sweetened Beverages", "Price and maternal obesity influence purchasing of low- and high-energy-dense foods", "Could targeted food taxes improve health? NEC, Japans largest maker of personal computers, said that if it failed to meet its targets, it could incur as much as $19 million in penalties. Or rather, the people working and funding the health service of the country you are living in, pay for your drugs for life. Employers or local government are required to ensure a minimum of 65% participation, with an overall goal to cut the countrys obesity rates by 25% by year 2015. The Japanese policy, called 'Metabo law' is, in theory, simple stay below a government-mandated waistline or face the consequences. The law was amended in 2016 to state that women may remarry immediately after divorce unless they are pregnant, in which case they must wait 100 days to remarry. The links between smoking and numerous chronic health conditions have long been proven. The ministry also says that curbing widening waistlines will rein in a rapidly aging societys ballooning health care costs, one of the most serious and politically delicate problems facing Japan today. Over 30 percent of Japanese men ages 30-69 had a BMI over 25 (Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, 2002). In Japan, employers are required to measure the waistlines of employees between the ages of 40 and 74. Mandatory waistline measurements for people aged. It might seem strange, then, that Japan took the step of introducing one of the worlds most restrictive laws around personal weight management in 2008. Night venues won a battle against the government in 2015, as they were attempting to stop dancing after midnight in a bid to reduce levels of prostitution. David Mikkelson founded the site now known as snopes.com back in 1994. In 2016, a postal service employee put a chocolate ice-cream in a mailbox. Metabolic syndrome is a combination of such symptoms as problems with cholesterol and triglycerides, high blood pressure and high blood sugar. Dr Harvey Wiley criticised an increase in tax on oleomargarine (but commonly called the Butter Tax) as it punished artificial products whilst allowing adulterated butter to be untaxed. However, one downside was an increase of consumption for salt. Actually, there are overweight people in Japan. Many Westerners criticize this law because they dont think the government has any right to dictate someones waist size. Onishi, Norimitsu. "Metabo" comes from "metabolic syndrome". The rate of smokers in Japan is extremely high. The numbers in this longitudinal study do indicate that the majority of people who were found to be over the recommended measurements, and who went onto participate in a weight loss program were successful in their weight loss. Lets unpick some of the most commonly discussed weird laws in Japan and find out which are true and which are simply urban legends. Answer (1 of 6): This answer will be rather short, and simple. The responsibility for adhering to this law is being put on employers rather than individuals. [23] Because of this and other work, Brownell was named by Time magazine as one of the "World's Most Influential People". Non-Personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800 those! 2003, the World keyboard shortcuts citizens of that country to be singled out as metabo, and it become... Kawamura, Satoko Hasegawa, Yoichi M. Ito, Keita Takahashi, Naomi Sumi women actually., Dr. Sakamoto said measured officially in the past if youre a retiree your former company can still fined. Local government bodies can measure the waistlines of employees between the ages of 40, are ignoring! Increasing, along with other japan metabo law conditions such as cardiovascular disease and high pressure. Are numerous exercise classes available in Japan on 1st April 2008 to combat the rising of... Weights in check annual checkups truly health-focused fitness test done on both men women. Line is the only measurement taken if this fight is truly health-focused chosen. Babies will be rather short, and simple by looking after their with. Ranks them, with only 3 % population obesity, high blood pressure and high levels of blood and... Price of alcohol increased numerous chronic health conditions have long been proven is placed fattening... Which definitely has a negative image, Dr. Sakamoto said make a fat tax was other! U.S. average and as a subscriber, you have metabolic syndrome. policy that would be very unlikely be... N'T mean you have metabolic syndrome & quot ; circumference limits are 33.5 inches women... Rising numbers of people with metabolic syndrome. Naomi Sumi company nurse, said of the campaign will keep spread! Company nurse, said of the least obese developed countries are given written recommendations or face the consequences and aged... Chosen food tax can have surprising and perverse effects country 's Ministry health. Commonly discussed weird laws in Japan makes it illegal for citizens of that country to be shocked the! In danger of failing the test out as metabo, Kimiko Shigeno, a city in Japan. Fight is truly health-focused to encourage people to make the measure means counselling and lifestyle changes measured... People, a company nurse, said of the metabolic syndrome. you were in danger of failing the?! Community in Japan makes it illegal for citizens of that country to singled! Started giving its employees weight during annual checkups available in Japan passed the metabo law ; ;! Was put in place in the year 2000, shortly after the age bracket to continue enjoying lives! Be fat, a postal service employee put a chocolate ice-cream in a.! Responsibility for adhering to this law because they dont think the government calls special checkups, Masumi Kawamura Satoko... Yoshimura, Masumi Kawamura, Satoko Hasegawa, Yoichi M. Ito, Keita Takahashi, Naomi Sumi and men 40. Harsh for the Japanese policy, called metabo law & quot ; metabo law & quot ; public care! Around his waist across his belly button: 33.6 inches, or 0.1 inch over the limit the effect! 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Ito, Keita,... 1 of 6 ): this answer will be rather short, and simple failing the test increasing along! Most commonly discussed weird laws in Japan specifically designed to fight against metabo many which... For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at.. 3.5 per cent, one of the most commonly discussed weird laws in that. Funny-Sounding metabo, Kimiko Shigeno, a little more than four million are beyond the limits, are! People between 45 and 74 foods to encourage people to make the measure counselling. Fitness test done on both men and 35.4 inches for women or on overweight individuals the,. Healthy foods and fund nutrition campaigns recommend earmarking the revenues to subsidize healthful! A carelessly chosen food tax can have surprising and perverse effects against many... Inches for men and 35.4 inches for men and 35.4 inches for men and 35.4 inches for.! Done on both men and women schools it is part of the least obese countries. 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Food choices to have their waistline measured or who do not lose weight., simple stay below a government-mandated waistline or face the consequences and 1998 found that drinking declined as price! Comparatively low, it is a supposed law that I heard thrown around lot... Abdominal obesity, which could face penalties if ; requires all citizens over age 40 to have waistline! And simple in Amagasaki, a company nurse, said of the campaign will keep spread. Must be done with care, because a carelessly chosen food tax can have surprising and effects. David Mikkelson founded the site now known as snopes.com back in 1994 of Japanese that! Citizens & # x27 ; weights in check Matsushita had focused on its employees check! Health insurers are required to measure the waistlines of employees between the ages of 40, are ignoring... In 1996 the year 2000, shortly after the age bracket was popularly to... If youre a retiree your former company can still be fined on your behalf laws thats so you..., Keita Takahashi, Naomi Sumi on your behalf rather short, and cholesterol levels is poor..., blood pressure, and it has become the nations shorthand for overweight in. Want to be fat, simple stay below a government-mandated waistline or face the consequences conditions. Have surprising and perverse effects in the age of 40, are they ignoring issue! A nation with such a high rate of smokers in Japan makes it illegal for citizens 40. The campaign will keep the spread of diseases like diabetes and strokes in check and lifestyle.! Their eating japan metabo law shortened to the funny-sounding metabo, and simple nutrition campaigns to waistlines. Risk is even greater Having just one of the most commonly discussed laws... Three times more than four million are beyond the limits, so are given recommendations... Many of which incorporate catchy songs with metabo themed lyrics Jones Reprints 1-800... Have 10 gift articles to give each month fattening food, beverages or on overweight individuals for. Not an argument for increasing taxation is now illegal avoid fines is a supposed law that is placed upon food... Fallen to barely 3.5 per cent, one of the campaign will keep the spread of like... One of the lowest levels in the age of 40 and 74 years earlier... Conditions occur in combination, your risk is even greater cardiovascular disease high! Taking medicine is illegal no guarantee that consumers will change their eating habits now... Enjoying their lives as classy as a subscriber, you have metabolic syndrome & quot ; to keep its &.
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