Wii Fit Body Check Channel Detailed In Japan

A new interactive Wii channel called the Wii Fit Body Check Channel will launch in Japan. The new service is a collaboration between Nintendo and major Japanese companies NEC, Panasonic and Hitachi. Although an abridged version of Wii Fit is already available as an installable channel, the new offering will combine data from both Wii Fit and Aruite Wakaru Seikatsu Rhythm DS (aka Personal Trainer: Walking/Walk With Me!. According to a translation by weblog Kotaku, users will able to submit their data online and have health advice e-mailed to them in return. However, the service is currently only available to employees of the three participating companies (it is unclear whether Nintendo employees are also covered). NEC has been operating its own health service since December on mobile phones, with the new Wii channel set to become available this April for employees and their families. The company hopes to offer the service for non-employees thereafter. Hitachi, who helped develop the service, is also planning to carry out an in-house trial this February. Meanwhile, Panasonic Medical Solution will include the channel as part of its Plissimo Sigusa health care plan and offer it to Japan’s health insurance union for wider distribution. No details of a possible Western launch for the service have been indicated.