A Tokyo Metropolitan Government campaign encouraging office workers to wear shorts and t-shirts this summer has drawn divided public opinion as Japan endures a deadly heatwave.
Governor Yuriko Koike introduced the 'Tokyo Cool Biz' initiative in April 2026, permitting public employees to abandon suits and ties in favour of casual attire to cut air-conditioning costs and reduce energy consumption. But a June survey by Gorilla Clinic found 53.5% of respondents opposed wearing shorts to the office, against 46.5% in favour. Some women have voiced discomfort with exposed male leg hair in the workplace, coining the term 'sune-hara,' or 'leg-hair harassment', to describe the phenomenon.
The debate comes as Japan grapples with extreme heat. The country recorded its first 'cruelly hot day' with temperatures surpassing 40°C in July 2026. Between 6 and 12 July, heatstroke killed seven people and hospitalised 4,580 nationwide, underscoring the urgency behind energy-saving measures.