Tokyo’s Push for Men to Wear Shorts to Work Sparks Debate Over Workplace Dress Codes

Tokyo’s campaign encouraging men to wear shorts to work during the summer has generated mixed reactions, with some women raising concerns over workplace dress expectations and what has been dubbed “leg hair harassment.”

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government introduced the expanded dress code under its “Tokyo Cool Biz” initiative in April, urging workers to replace traditional business suits with lighter clothing such as T-shirts, trainers and shorts as part of efforts to cope with extreme summer temperatures.

Governor Yuriko Koike’s latest update builds on the long-running Cool Biz campaign, which promotes lighter office attire to reduce energy consumption and improve comfort during Japan’s hot summers.

Officials say the initiative is intended to give workers more flexibility rather than dictate what they should wear.

“We want to give people more options in the severe heat, not tell them what to wear. There should be no issue as long as the work attire is not offensive to anyone,” Tokyo Metropolitan Government environmental official Noboru Watanabe told the BBC.

Despite the policy, public opinion remains divided. A June survey conducted by Gorilla Clinic found that 53.5 per cent of respondents opposed wearing shorts in the workplace, while 46.5 per cent supported the recommendation.

Among those against the change, concerns centred on body image and visible body hair. The survey found women were more likely than men to oppose the move, with some expressing discomfort about seeing male colleagues’ bare legs.

The issue has also fuelled discussion online, where some women have coined the term “sunehara” – short for “leg hair harassment” – to describe being forced to look at male colleagues’ leg hair in the office.

The debate has had an unexpected effect on the cosmetic industry. Akifumi Funatsu, director of Gorilla Clinic, said more men are seeking laser hair removal to prepare for wearing shorts at work.

According to Funatsu, many male clients now view grooming as a matter of workplace etiquette rather than personal appearance, believing that visible leg hair may make colleagues uncomfortable.

Although casual office clothing has become increasingly common in Japan, particularly within technology firms and startups, the Tokyo government’s recommendation has helped make shorts more socially acceptable in a wider range of workplaces.

Koike first launched the Cool Biz campaign in 2005 while serving as Japan’s environment minister. The initiative encouraged workers to remove jackets and ties during summer to reduce reliance on air conditioning.

Following the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, the government expanded the programme through the “Super Cool Biz” campaign, promoting even lighter clothing as part of broader energy-saving measures.

Japan is once again facing an intense summer marked by record temperatures and rising energy costs.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned of extreme heat, using the term “kokusho-bi” to describe days when temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius.

Government data shows that seven people died from heatstroke while 4,580 others were hospitalised during the week of July 6 to July 12, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

To cope with the heat, many residents have turned to cooling products such as clothing fitted with electric fans, portable handheld fans, cooling towels and UV-protection umbrellas.

Experts from the Japan Academic Network for Disaster Reduction have also urged people to gradually acclimatise to rising temperatures before peak summer conditions arrive, warning that Japan’s high humidity makes it more difficult for the body to cool itself through sweating.