02 Do Japanese people have longer intestines than Westerners?

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Do Japanese people have longer intestines than Westerners?

Topics Discussed

• Whether Japanese people have longer intestines than Westerners
• The idea that longer intestines are a result of the Japanese people having a diet centering around rice, grains, and vegetables
• The inconsistent details surrounding the idea that Japanese people have longer intestines than Westerners
• Andy Raskin's quest to determine if Japanese people have longer intestines than Westerners
• The stealing of corpses in Meiji period Japan
• The idea that longer intestine length produces more excrement
• The connection between the length of one's intestines and the smelliness of one's poop
• How much longer the Japanese intestinal tract is said to be than that of Westerners
• What both Japanese sources and English-language sources have to say on the length of Japanese intestines
• The importance of skepticism
• The results of a large scale scientific study that compares the length of the intestines of Japanese people and Westerners
• The idea that intestine length is connected to the darkness of one's skin
• And more!

Note: During the episode some information is attributed to a Reddit thread. This is inaccurate. The information attributed to said Reddit thread was instead found on news.ycominator.com.

We Want Your Questions

Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com.

Special Thanks

Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)

Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.

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Japan Station Episode 30

If you would like to check out episode 30 of the Japan Station podcast, which focuses on the idea of "otaku" and the history of Akihabara, please check out the link below.

• Japan Station 30: Understanding "Otaku" and Akihabara w. Dr. Patrick W. Galbraith