Tokyo’s New Office Dress Code: Shorts Allowed to Save Energy

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has authorized male employees of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to wear shorts in the office to combat extreme summer heat. Announced in April, the policy urges businesses across the capital to adopt relaxed dress codes, expanding on the “Cool Biz” energy-saving campaign Koike initiated in 2005.

Why is Tokyo allowing shorts in the office?

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) introduced the policy to prioritize employee health and energy efficiency during increasingly severe heatwaves. According to the TMG, the goal is to reduce the reliance on high-powered air conditioning in government buildings.

By allowing shorts, the city aims to lower the ambient temperature workers feel, which in turn allows for higher thermostat settings. This move reflects a shift in how the city manages urban heat islands and worker productivity during the humid summer months.

How does this differ from the 2005 “Cool Biz” campaign?

While both initiatives target energy savings, the scale of relaxation has increased. In 2005, Yuriko Koike, then Japan’s environment minister, led a movement where “salarymen” stopped wearing ties and suit jackets. This was a significant departure from the rigid corporate attire of the time, but it still maintained a baseline of formal trousers.

The current directive is more aggressive. By permitting shorts, the TMG is challenging the remaining taboos of Japanese professional attire. The transition from “no ties” to “no trousers” marks a move from moderate comfort to climate-adaptive clothing.

Will other Japanese businesses follow the Tokyo government?

Industry analysts suggest the TMG’s move provides “political cover” for private companies to relax their own rules. Traditionally, Japanese firms avoid being the first to break social norms for fear of appearing unprofessional to clients. However, when the Governor of Tokyo explicitly urges businesses to adopt these standards, the risk of social stigma decreases.

This trend aligns with a broader shift toward environmental sustainability and the modernization of the “salaryman” image. As Japan faces a labor shortage, companies are using flexible dress codes to attract younger talent who prioritize comfort and mental well-being over traditional formality.

What happens next for professional attire in Asia?

The move in Tokyo likely signals a regional trend toward “climate-aware” professionalism. As temperatures rise across East Asia, the insistence on Western-style suits—which are ill-suited for tropical humidity—is becoming a liability for productivity.

We can expect more cities to implement “seasonal dress codes” that are legally or officially sanctioned by local governments. This removes the burden from the individual employee to negotiate dress code changes with conservative management.

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