Comment on “‘Laugh Once a Day’ Ordinance Passed by Yamagata Prefectural Assembly, Opponents Cite ‘Disregard for Human Rights'” [in Japanese]

On July 7, 2024, a comment of Professor Maiko Ichihara of the Graduate School of Law on the Asahi Shimbun article, “’Laugh Once a Day’ Ordinance Passed by Yamagata Prefectural Assembly, Opponents Cite ‘Disregard for Human Rights’” was published. This article covers the opposition raised against the “Ordinance to Promote Health through Laughter,” submitted by the Liberal Democratic Party in the Yamagata Prefectural Assembly, with criticism focusing on concerns over the disregard for human rights. Professor Ichihara commented that while she does not oppose the emphasis on laughter as a measure of happiness, the objective should not be to make laughter itself the goal. Instead, she emphasized that the Assembly should focus on discussing how to create a society where people naturally find themselves smiling and enjoying life.

https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASS752VWXS75UZHB001M.html