As Tokyo faces another intense summer heatwave, the city’s municipal government has actively encouraged civil servants to adopt more casual attire in the office, relaxing the traditionally strict dress code. The “Tokyo Cool Biz” campaign, launched this week, urges employees to wear polo shirts, shorts, and trainers instead of the customary suits and ties. This initiative aims to help workers better manage the sweltering conditions while also reducing reliance on air conditioning.

Temperatures in the capital reached 35 degrees Celsius with humidity at 72 percent on Tuesday, underscoring the ongoing challenge posed by rising summer heat. Japan experienced its hottest summer on record last year, a period during which more than 100,000 people required hospitalization for heatstroke. In response, efforts such as Tokyo Cool Biz represent a significant cultural shift in the nation’s formal work environment, where dark suits and ties have long been the norm even during the most humid months.

For civil servant Toru Suda, the new dress guidelines initially felt unfamiliar, but his comfort increased as colleagues joined in adopting the more relaxed style. Another government employee, Noboru Watanabe, noted that while he has grown accustomed to casual dress at work, he still switches to formal attire for official occasions, adjusting his wardrobe according to the setting.

Though many client-facing businesses continue to require traditional office wear, a growing number of companies are allowing employees to dress more comfortably during the summer months. Concurrently, Japanese clothing manufacturers are introducing lightweight, stretchable, and quick-drying garments designed to balance comfort and professionalism for office workers navigating high temperatures.

The Tokyo Cool Biz campaign reflects broader concerns about worker health and energy conservation, signaling a gradual but meaningful change in workplace culture amid ongoing climate challenges.