The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is strengthening its "Cool Biz" policy this summer, allowing public servants to wear shorts to work. With record-breaking heatwaves and energy crisis concerns overlapping, the city has relaxed its dress code more boldly, going beyond the previous "no tie, no jacket" standard.
According to Japanese media outlets including the Sankei Shimbun, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has informed its employees that they can wear T-shirts, polo shirts, and sneakers, as well as shorts depending on the nature of their work. At a press conference, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said, "We need new work standards that prioritize comfort and functionality," adding, "We will expand Cool Biz beyond simple summer attire into a new work culture."
Employees at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Bureau of Environment have already begun working in shorts. Staff at the Regional Energy Division responded positively, saying, "It's much easier to move around and our work concentration has improved." The burden within the organization has also been greatly reduced as even managerial-level employees have joined in wearing lighter attire.
"Suits Are Dangerous"... Heatwave Fears Sweep Japan
Behind Japanese society's relaxation of dress codes lies an increasingly severe heatwave. Japan recorded its hottest summer on record last year, and extreme heat is expected again this year. Criticism is also growing that the culture of insisting on thick suits and ties in summer increases the risk of heatstroke.
After repeated extreme heatwaves exceeding 40 degrees Celsius due to abnormal weather last year, the Japan Meteorological Agency officially introduced a new term, "kokusho-bi" (酷暑日), symbolizing disaster-level heat, and will apply it starting this year.
Concerns over energy supply due to instability in the Middle East have also had an impact. Pressure to reduce electricity consumption has grown ahead of the summer season, when air conditioning use surges. A Tokyo Metropolitan Government official told local media, "We are in a situation where energy conservation and heatwave response are needed simultaneously."
Japan's Cool Biz policy began in 2005 under the cabinet of Junichiro Koizumi. Governor Koike, who was Environment Minister at the time, led the initiative, which called for maintaining office air conditioning at 28 degrees Celsius while reducing the use of ties and jackets. Although there was initial backlash that it was "unbecoming of the dignity of public service," it quickly spread throughout companies and public institutions.
Year-Round "No Tie" Work Spreads... "As Long as the Work Gets Done"
Japan introduced "Super Cool Biz" in 2011, when power shortages worsened after the Great East Japan Earthquake, further relaxing dress codes. Aloha shirts, sneakers, and some casual attire were permitted, and recently, year-round "no tie" work has been increasing, mainly among local governments.
In Miyazaki Prefecture and several regional cities, employees are allowed to work without jackets and ties regardless of the season, and some fire departments have introduced "office casual" for the first time in the country. Employees have responded by saying, "My neck is comfortable and I feel less fatigued," and "The stiff atmosphere has eased, so ideas come out better."
Extreme Heat Brings "Heatwave Major Alert"... Meteorological Agency Strengthens Response to Abnormal Weather
