Full Breakdown
Tokyo’s “Cool Biz” Policy Expands to Allow Shorts, Sparking Mixed Reactions
7/22/2026, 4:27:05 AM
Expanded Dress Code Allows Shorts
In April, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike broadened the city’s long-standing “Cool Biz” programme by permitting office workers to wear shorts, t-shirts and trainers during the summer heat. The change aims to give employees more options to stay comfortable while maintaining a professional appearance. Tokyo Metropolitan Government environmental official Noboru Watanabe emphasized that the guidance does not dictate attire but simply expands choices, provided clothing remains non-offensive.
Background of the Cool Biz Initiative
The original Cool Biz campaign, launched in 2005, encouraged lighter business wear to reduce air-conditioning use and lower energy consumption. Over the years, many startups and tech firms have already adopted casual dress codes, but the 2024 recommendation makes shorts socially acceptable across a wider range of companies.
Survey Results and Workplace Reactions
A June poll conducted by Gorilla Clinic found that 53.5 % of respondents opposed wearing shorts at work, while 46.5 % supported the new recommendation. The survey indicated that women responded more negatively than men, citing concerns about body shape and visible body hair. Gorilla Clinic’s director Akifumi Funatsu noted an increase in clients seeking laser hair removal, interpreting the trend as a response to perceived “social etiquette” when men wear shorts.
Gender Concerns and Social Implications
Critics argue that the policy places an uneven burden on women, who are still expected to wear tights when showing any leg. Some female employees have described “leg-hair harassment,” a term coined online as “sunehara,” referring to discomfort caused by seeing male colleagues’ leg hair. The discussion highlights broader questions about gendered dress expectations in Japanese workplaces and the cultural pressure on men to manage leg hair to avoid offending female coworkers.
