Japan’s Tokyo city male workers can wear shorts in summer. Some call it harassment
Some women argue against the double standards, saying they have to wear stockings to work even in summer
Now, as Tokyo governor, Koike has taken the idea a step further: shorts in the office.
In April, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government said it would allow male employees to arrive for work in shorts, urging businesses across the capital to adopt similarly relaxed dress codes.
Tokyo Cool Biz, the city’s update of the original national campaign, is intended to help employees feel more comfortable while potentially reducing electricity consumption amid rising fuel costs.
Temperatures have been climbing across Japan in recent days, and forecasters warn that last summer’s record-breaking heat and humidity are likely to be surpassed this year.
The backlash against the relaxed rules has been swift, however.