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Aim: To re-evaluate exercise intensity for overweight Japanese men by ventilatory threshold (VT). Methods: Cross sectional clinical intervention study. Subjects and materials: One hundred and ten overweight Japanese men aged 32–59 years were recruited. The average body mass index was 28.5 ± 2.5 kg/m2. Aerobic exercise level was evaluated by measuring VT. Fifty per cent heart rate (HR) reserve by Karvonen's formula was calculated and compared with HR at VT. Fat distribution was evaluated by visceral fat and subcutaneous fat areas measured with computed tomography scanning at umbilical levels. Anthropometric parameters such as height, body weight and body fat percentage were also measured. Results: There was significant correlation between HR at VT and 50% HR reserve by Karvonen's formula (r = 0.642, p < 0.01). However, HR at VT was significantly lower than 50% HR reserve by Karvonen's formula (HR at VT 103.6 ± 10.6 beat/min vs. 50% HR reserve 125.0 ± 7.1 beat/min, p < 0.01) and HR at VT was corresponded to 28.5 ± 8.3% HR reserve by Karovonen's formula. Conclusion: The present study indicated that exercise intensity of 30% HR reserve should be recommended for overweight Japanese men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]