Tokyo allows public servants to wear shorts amid heatwave, sparks debate

In response to the escalating summer heat, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has permitted public servants to adopt lighter attire, including shorts, for their workdays. This initiative, branded 'Tokyo Cool Biz,' seeks to enhance the comfort of government employees amidst soaring temperatures in the Japanese capital.

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Summer is hotter than usual. Normally, male public servants in Tokyo wear ties and coats to work. Under the new concept, they are allowed to come to work wearing shorts. I ask all male employees: come to work in shorts. It will be comfortable.

The 'Tokyo Cool Biz' concept allows both male and female public servants to wear more casual clothing. Governor Koike specifically encouraged male employees to wear shorts, stating, "Summer is hotter than usual. Normally, male public servants in Tokyo wear ties and coats to work. Under the new concept, they are allowed to come to work wearing shorts. I ask all male employees: come to work in shorts. It will be comfortable." Many young workers have reportedly expressed their satisfaction with this relaxed dress code.

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Seeing the hair on men's legs can be 'mentally harassing' for some.

However, the move has not been universally welcomed. Some young women and female employees have voiced their displeasure, citing discomfort with the visibility of men's leg hair. Japanese psychologists have identified this reaction, referring to it as 'sunnebara,' a Japanese term that loosely translates to 'hairy leg harassment.' This term has gained traction online, highlighting a cultural nuance and differing perspectives on professional appearance within the workplace.

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This is called 'sunnebara' in Japanese, which simply means 'harassment due to leg hair'.