Tokyo's 'Cool Biz' Sparks Debate: Shorts for Men, But What About Women?

As a correspondent specializing in Cambodia, I always keep a close watch on international labor environment trends. Recently, the news that the Tokyo government in Japan is promoting a 'Cool Biz' policy allowing male employees to wear shorts to combat the heat is particularly interesting. This is because it raises new discussions not only about dress codes but also about gender equality and comfort in the workplace. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike launched the 'Tokyo Cool Biz' campaign in April, encouraging the abandonment of traditional suits and ties in favor of more casual attire such as T-shirts, sneakers, and shorts. This initiative aims to enable employees to work more comfortably in hot weather. However, the policy has drawn mixed reactions. Of particular note are the concerns raised by women. While shorts are permitted for men, women are still expected to wear stockings. This has led some women to voice their feelings of unfairness. Furthermore, a new term, 'sunehara' (leg hair harassment), has emerged on social media, pointing to a new issue where the visible leg hair of male colleagues is perceived as uncomfortable. Noboru Watanabe, an official from the environmental ministry, told the BBC, 'We want to provide more options to people during the hot season, not force them to wear anything. It shouldn't be a problem as long as the work attire does not affect others.' However, a survey conducted in June by Gorilla Clinic found that 53.5% of respondents opposed wearing shorts to work, while 46.5% supported the new guidelines. The main reasons for opposition were concerns about body hair and appearance, with a significantly higher percentage of women expressing opposition, indicating lower tolerance for seeing bare legs and leg hair of male colleagues. This move in Tokyo could indirectly influence Cambodia's labor environment. In Cambodia, awareness of workers' rights and workplace conditions has been increasing in recent years, accompanied by economic development. Particularly, as women's participation in society advances, the development of gender-sensitive workplace environments like this could become an important issue for Cambodia's future. We will continue to monitor how the relaxation of dress codes leads to the realization of a fair and comfortable working environment for all employees. Source: Koh Santepheap Khmer