Tokyo’s Move to Allow Shorts in Offices Draws Attention

Tokyo’s Move to Allow Shorts in Offices Draws Attention
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‎Japan’s Tokyo Metropolitan Government is encouraging workers to adopt more casual office clothing, including shorts, as temperatures continue to rise during the summer season.
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‎The initiative, known as “Tokyo Cool Biz,” was introduced by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike as an expansion of efforts to help people stay comfortable during extreme heat. The policy allows employees to replace traditional suits and ties with more relaxed clothing such as T-shirts, trainers, and shorts.
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‎However, the move has received mixed reactions. While some workers have welcomed the change for making office life more comfortable, some women have raised concerns, arguing that men are being given more freedom while women still face expectations to cover their legs with tights.Some have even described discomfort from seeing colleagues’ exposed leg hair, a reaction that has led to the online term “sunehara” or “leg hair harassment.”
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‎Tokyo Metropolitan Government officials say the initiative is not about forcing people to change their clothing but about providing more options during hot weather, as long as workplace attire remains appropriate.