Tokyo officials are rolling out a new dress code for summer, urging staff to swap jackets and ties for shorts, T‑shirts and sneakers as part of the “Tokyo Cool Biz” campaign.
Heat drives a shift in office attire
Temperatures in the capital have risen to about 35 °C (95 °F) with humidity hovering near 72 %. The Japan Meteorological Agency and the Ministry of Environment issued the first heat‑stroke alerts of the season on Wednesday, urging residents to limit outdoor activities and rely on air conditioning where possible. In response, the metropolitan government is encouraging its employees to adopt lighter clothing to stay comfortable and cut energy use.
“At first it felt a little strange,” said Suda, a 34‑year‑old public servant who now wears a light‑blue polo shirt and navy shorts that reach his knees. He noted that the initial awkwardness faded as more colleagues began dressing casually. The change is evident across central Tokyo offices, where staff can be seen in sneakers and short‑sleeve shirts instead of the traditional dark suits and white shirts that have long defined Japanese business wear.
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For many, the new policy is practical rather than symbolic. Noboru Watanabe, who heads the city’s climate‑change countermeasures team, explained, “Honestly, I’ve gotten used to this and it’s hard to go back. That said, formal occasions still require formal attire, so I adjust my clothing according to the task and the situation.”
Business response and broader trends
Retailers are adapting quickly. Aeon has expanded its business‑casual lines, and manufacturers such as Fast Retailing and Aoki are promoting lightweight, stretchable, quick‑dry fabrics aimed at office workers who need to balance comfort with a professional appearance.
Employees welcome the change.
While some customer‑facing roles still call for formal dress, a growing number of employers are allowing staff greater discretion when they are not meeting clients.
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The “Tokyo Cool Biz” effort builds on a nationwide initiative launched in 2005, but this iteration marks one of the most visible endorsements of casual attire in a culture where formal wear has been the norm even during the hottest months. The measure aligns with the government’s broader goal of reducing energy consumption, as lighter clothing can lessen reliance on air‑conditioning in densely packed office buildings.
If the approach proves effective in curbing heat‑related health issues and lowering electricity demand, other prefectures might adopt similar guidelines, especially as climate projections suggest increasingly severe summers across Japan.
Meanwhile, city streets are filled with pedestrians shielding themselves with parasols, and public spaces display mist‑cooling stations to help residents cope with the heat. The combined effort of policy, corporate response, and individual adaptation reflects a pragmatic attempt to manage a challenging climate reality without sacrificing professional standards.