With another scorching summer on the horizon, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike announced at an April press conference that the Cool Biz campaign would be “further expanded.” Koike spearheaded the initiative in 2005 during her time as environment minister.
Cool Biz encourages office workers to ditch ties and jackets in favor of short-sleeved shirts, polo shirts, and other relaxed attire, making it easier to stay comfortable while allowing air conditioners to be set at higher temperatures. What began as an initiative for civil servants has since been adopted in parts of the private sector.
On April 22, Japan activated its annual heatstroke alert system, which runs through October 21. That same day, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government released photos of staff arriving at work in T-shirts and shorts.
Setting an Example
Koike said the metropolitan government would lead by example. In addition to its existing year-round no-tie, no-jacket policy and allowance for polo shirts, she gave staff the green light to wear shorts, depending on their role.
Employees at Tokyo’s Bureau of Environment were among the first to embrace the change, with even section chiefs showing up in lighter clothing.
Toru Suda of the Regional Energy Division, spotted at his desk in shorts, summed it up: “It’s easier to move and get things done. When the people around you—including managers—change the way they dress, it makes it that much easier for everyone else to follow suit.”
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
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