Key facts
- Tokyo officials are being encouraged to wear shorts to work.
- The initiative is part of an effort to reduce air conditioning use and save energy.
- High energy costs, linked to the Middle East war, are a driving factor.
- The 'Cool Biz' campaign, started in 2005, has been upgraded to include more casual attire.
- Public opinion is divided on whether shorts are appropriate for the workplace.
Tokyo is encouraging male government workers to wear shorts to work as part of an effort to reduce air conditioning usage and conserve energy amid rising costs. The initiative, an updated version of the 'Cool Biz' campaign launched by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, aims to combat the challenging electricity supply outlook.
On a day when temperatures in the capital reached 34C, several male officials, including Noboru Watanabe, a 50-year-old metropolitan government official, opted for shorts. Watanabe admitted initial embarrassment but found the attire comfortable. The campaign permits attire such as polo shirts, t-shirts, and sneakers, and depending on job responsibilities, shorts.
The move has sparked debate, with some workers like Takayuki Deguchi, 30, praising the flexibility. However, others, such as realtor Sachie Koike, 52, find shorts too informal for the workplace, associating them with days off and expressing concerns about appearance.
Japan experienced its hottest summer on record in 2025, with extreme heat events becoming more frequent. The government's push for energy conservation reflects broader concerns about climate change and its impact on daily life and the economy.