Tokyo Government Permits Office Shorts Amid Heatwave Policy

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has expanded its "Cool Biz" campaign, allowing its employees to wear shorts, T‑shirts and sneakers in the office for the first time. The change is framed as a response to record‑breaking summer heat and a measure to cut air‑conditioning demand and energy consumption.

The policy has sparked public debate over workplace etiquette and gender expectations. Media in Japan coined the term “sune‑hara” (leg‑hair harassment) to describe discomfort some women feel at seeing male colleagues’ bare, often hairy, legs. Another new term, “kokushobi,” denotes days over 40 °C. Officials such as Noboru Watanabe, a senior environmental officer, said the relaxed dress code makes him feel younger and more approachable, while others noted the shift challenges long‑standing office formality.

Online reactions have been mixed, with many commenting on the sight of middle‑aged men’s legs, calling it “unpleasant” or “gross.” The discussion reflects broader cultural tensions as Japan balances traditional professional norms with climate‑adaptation measures.