As summer temperatures rise in Japan, office workers are debating a new style choice: wearing shorts to the office. While some enjoy the comfort, others are concerned about the sight of their colleagues' leg hair.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is encouraging employees to wear casual clothes like t-shirts, trainers, and shorts. This initiative, called "Tokyo Cool Biz," was introduced in April by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike to help workers stay cool and save energy.
However, the new dress code has received mixed reactions. Supporters say wearing shorts makes the hot summer days much more comfortable. On the other hand, some critics argue the rules are unfair. They point out that women are still expected to wear tights when showing their legs, while men can now show bare skin.
Another surprising issue is a new term coined online: "sunehara," which stands for "leg hair harassment." Some people feel uncomfortable looking at their male colleagues' leg hair in the office. According to a survey by Gorilla Clinic, a cosmetic clinic in Japan, 53.5% of people opposed wearing shorts to work. Many of the opponents were women who expressed discomfort about seeing male colleagues' bare legs.
In response, some Japanese men are now visiting clinics for laser hair removal. Akifumi Funatsu, the clinic's director, explained that men are doing this as a form of "social etiquette" when they wear shorts.
Japan has been experiencing record heat and humidity this summer. In early July, thousands of people were hospitalized due to heatstroke. In addition to wearing lighter clothing, residents are using products like clothes with built-in fans and portable handheld fans to beat the heat. Officials hope these measures will help people adapt to the severe weather while reducing energy usage.