As summer temperatures rise in Tokyo, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is urging office workers to adopt more casual attire, including t-shirts, trainers, and shorts, to stay cool and conserve energy. This push is part of the "Tokyo Cool Biz" campaign introduced in April 2026 by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, expanding on a long-standing summer tradition aimed at reducing energy consumption.

The initiative follows the precedent set by the "Super Cool Biz" campaign launched after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, which broadened guidelines for energy-saving at work and home.

While some employees welcome the relaxed dress code for comfort, the policy has received mixed reviews. A June survey by Gorilla Clinic found that 53.5% of respondents opposed wearing shorts to work, while 46.5% supported the recommendation. Additionally, in traditional Japanese office environments, women are often still expected to wear tights when their attire exposes their legs, despite no official rule mandating this.

Some women have described the new dress code as causing "leg hair harassment," referring to discomfort at being forced to see colleagues' leg hair, prompting some to seek laser hair removal to avoid offending others.

Meanwhile, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported that in the week from July 6 to 12, 2026, seven people died from heatstroke in Japan, and 4,580 were hospitalized, underscoring the importance of preparing for hot weather and preventing heat-related illnesses during the rainy season before peak summer heat arrives.

Tokyo Governor Koike first introduced a summer wardrobe shift as Japan's environment minister in 2005, launching a national energy-saving campaign that has evolved into the current initiatives.

Sources