Japan Tells Workers to Wear Shorts as Brutal Heat Grips Nation
The policy aims to ease discomfort in extreme heat and save energy, as a survey found 53.5% opposed shorts at work.
- The Tokyo Metropolitan Government launched "Tokyo Cool Biz" in April, encouraging workers to replace traditional suits with casual attire including shorts, t-shirts, and trainers to help employees stay comfortable during severe summer heat.
- Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike introduced the original "Cool Biz" campaign in 2005 with then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi promoting lighter clothing; after the Tohoku earthquake in 2011, the government launched "Super Cool Biz" to further reduce energy consumption.
- A June survey by Gorilla Clinic found 53.5% of respondents opposed wearing shorts while 46.5% favored the recommendation; Akifumi Funatsu, director of the clinic, noted some men seek laser hair removal as a matter of "social etiquette when wearing shorts."
- Some women have complained of "leg hair harassment" or "sunehara," an online term for discomfort viewing male colleagues' exposed shin hair, while this cultural shift has made some men self-conscious about their appearance in the workplace.
- The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of "brutally hot day" conditions as extreme heat persists, with seven people dying from heatstroke and 4,580 admitted to hospitals in the seven days from 6-12 July, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
56 Articles
56 Articles
A heatwave across Japan is prompting employers to relax strict dress codes for their employees. However, shorts in the office are not appreciated by everyone. Hairy male legs at work are deeply offensive to female employees.
Tokyo Cool Biz: Why ‘sunehara’ is trending in Japan’s office dress code conversation
Japan's 'Tokyo Cool Biz' campaign is encouraging lighter office clothing during extreme heat, but the policy has also sparked debate over gender expectations, workplace dress codes and body image. An expert explains the broader implications.
The Cool Biz campaign, created to reduce energy consumption, faces criticism for clothing standards that continue to affect women
The rise in temperatures and heat waves are reflected in Japanese men’s clothing trends and open up debate in work environments
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