Is it ok to be a chubby woman in Japan?

[Jazzy]

Japanese women are known for being petite and slim - but what is it like for larger women in the country?

A conversation about when it's "acceptable" to be overweight has taken place after an image outlining the difference between 'ok chubby' and 'no good chubby' trended on Twitter.

Many of the comments were posted by men, expressing intolerance and criticising women who they thought were "fat." Women also took to the opportunity to defend themselves online and seek acceptance.

Anne-Marie Tomchak from #BBCtrending asks if the trend points towards a shift in attitudes in Japan?

Your thoughts on this?

 

[DrLeftover]

Japan is a male-dominated country. Period. To the point where the US and UK look positively matriarchal by comparison.

There have always been 'large' women in the Japan, but they have for the most part been invisible. For evidence, you don't have to look any further than the rural farming villages where older women work in traditional industries and on the farms that keep the country fed.

In town they are relegated to the home where they 'keep house' while their men stay out half the night doing that "social thing" with their bosses to get a leg up in the super-competitive job scene in the cities.

The fact that they are even having the debate signals that things are changing over there.

No, there won't be a "plus size model" TV show any time soon, but you may begin to see more of them in their media.

Especially with the new US Ambassador, Caroline Kennedy, in town.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rochellekopp/caroline-kennedy-a-role-m_b_3416753.html


Also- this piece has been around for a long time... but it still rings true:
http://www2.gol.com/users/friedman/writings/p1.html