In response to increasingly severe summer heat, the Tokyo metropolitan government has expanded its “Cool Biz” campaign to include allowing office workers to wear shorts at work, marking a significant shift from the traditional business attire long associated with Japanese offices. The initiative, introduced in April, aims to help employees cope with record-breaking temperatures, reduce reliance on air conditioning, and conserve energy amid ongoing climate challenges and global supply disruptions.

Since its original launch in 2005 by then-Environment Minister Yuriko Koike, the “Cool Biz” campaign has encouraged workers to forgo jackets and ties during warmer months. This year’s broadened guidelines permit more casual clothing, including T-shirts, trainers, and shorts, to address rising temperatures that have led to a record-breaking summer. Japan’s government offices set thermostats to 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit) from May through September, aligning with national standards, while the Japanese Meteorological Agency has labeled days exceeding 40 degrees Celsius as “kudashobi,” or “cruelly hot.”

While some workers, like 53-year-old Tokyo environmental official Noboru Watanabe, have embraced the change, swapping their usual suit-and-tie attire for shorts and T-shirts and reporting a more relaxed office atmosphere, the policy has sparked debate. Some female employees have expressed unease about male colleagues’ exposed legs, coining the term “sune-hara,” or “leg-hair harassment,” to describe discomfort caused by seeing bare, often hairy, male shins in a professional environment.

A recent survey conducted by a men’s cosmetic treatment chain found a divided response, with 53.5 percent opposing and 46.5 percent supporting the wearing of shorts at work. Opposition often cited concerns about body shape and visible leg hair, with women comprising a majority of those less enthusiastic. Conversely, some men have become more conscious of their leg hair, seeking cosmetic treatments such as laser hair removal to adhere to emerging social etiquette.

Critics also point to a gender disparity in expectations around office dress and grooming. While men’s acceptance of shorts has gained ground, women continue to face pressures to adhere to traditional standards, including wearing pantyhose or long skirts and maintaining hair removal routines. Atsuko Tamada, a professor of French literature, noted the additional time and expense women invest in appearance-related grooming, questioning whether men’s more relaxed standards represent true equality.

Retailers have responded to the new dress code by offering office-appropriate shorts designed with lightweight fabrics and conservative cuts to balance comfort and professionalism. However, adoption remains gradual: during a visit to a Tokyo government office, only a fraction of male employees wore shorts, and some, like public relations worker Toshio Suzuki, opt for pants that provide comfort while avoiding potential discomfort among colleagues.

The government continues to emphasize that the dress code offers options rather than mandates, seeking to balance comfort, energy conservation, and workplace decorum amid Japan’s rising summer heat. Whether shorts will become broadly accepted in Japan’s traditionally formal work culture remains uncertain, as discussions around office attire now include considerations of professional norms, personal comfort, and workplace dynamics.