Summary
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government encourages office workers to wear shorts and casual clothes during hot summer months to stay cool and save energy. While some people welcome the change, some women say the policy is unfair because they must still wear tights and feel uncomfortable seeing men’s leg hair at work.Key Facts
- Tokyo’s government started promoting "Tokyo Cool Biz," allowing shorts and casual wear in offices to help people cope with summer heat.
- The initiative builds on a previous campaign called "Cool Biz," started in 2005 to save energy by loosening office dress codes.
- A survey showed 53.5% of people opposed wearing shorts at work, mainly due to concerns about body shape and body hair.
- Women are more likely than men to feel uncomfortable seeing men’s bare legs and leg hair, calling it "leg hair harassment" or "sunehara."
- Some men have started removing leg hair with laser treatments to avoid offending female coworkers.
- Japan is experiencing record summer heat, with warnings about "brutally hot days" over 40°C (104°F).
- Heatstroke cases have increased, with several deaths and thousands hospitalized recently.
- People are also using cooling products like clothes with fans, wet towels, and portable fans to manage the heat.
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