Tokyo urges men to wear shorts to work, but women say it's 'leg hair harassment' - BBC

What the report says

BBC News reports that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is encouraging office workers to adopt more relaxed summer clothing, including T-shirts, trainers and shorts, as Japan faces severe heat. The policy, introduced in April by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike under “Tokyo Cool Biz,” builds on Japan’s long-running Cool Biz campaign, which has promoted lighter office wear to reduce air-conditioning demand and help workers cope with hot weather.

The BBC says the addition of shorts has drawn divided reactions. Some workers and commentators welcome the comfort and flexibility, while others say the change exposes a gender imbalance because women are often still expected to wear tights if their legs are visible. The report also notes online discussion of “sunehara,” or discomfort caused by seeing male colleagues’ leg hair. Tokyo environmental official Noboru Watanabe told the BBC the aim is to broaden choices during extreme heat rather than prescribe clothing, provided workplace attire is not offensive.

The article also places the debate in the context of changing Japanese workplace norms, with casual dress becoming more common in sectors such as technology and startups. It cites Akifumi Funatsu of Gorilla Clinic as saying more men are seeking laser hair removal, partly because of concerns about social expectations when wearing shorts.

According to the BBC, Japan’s heat risks are significant this summer. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency recorded seven heatstroke deaths and 4,580 hospital transports in the week of July 6-12. Officials and experts are urging hydration, air conditioning, heat acclimatisation and other precautions, while consumers are turning to products such as fan-equipped clothing, cooling towels and portable fans.