Sleepy salaryman gene found!
Finally, the Sleepy Salaryman Gene has been found!
Now there’s a reason why the favorite tourist photo of Tokyo is sleeping salarymen. 
Japan experts identify daytime sleepiness gene
Mon Sep 29, 2008 – REUTERS– Scientists in Japan have identified a gene variant that may be linked to narcolepsy — a condition marked by excessive daytime sleepiness, impaired vision and muscle weakness.It occurs in 1 out of 2,500 individuals in the United States and Europe, but is at least 4 times more frequent in Japanese….
….We have no idea why this gene variant occurs with such high frequency among (narcoleptic) Japanese and Koreans … it may be selection, or chance…more…
Actually, sleep deprivation is the hallmark of Japanese work- and study-life. The standard phrase that mothers use to admonish their children in their school studies is, 
“(sleep) four hours pass, (sleep) five hours fail”.
Just a day ago a study has shown that even Japanese babies are forced to sleep least of any country in the world.
Also, read my previous 3Yen report:
Japanese companies promote sleeping on the job, ri-i-i-ight
Pix via Catjerome’s flickr photostream
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