Friday, 10 June 2011In an attempt to save energy this summer, the Japanese government is encouraging office workers to wear less clothes in the workplace.
By wearing lighter summer outfits as opposed to heavy suits, the government hopes to reduce the usage of air conditioning in offices to save energy. This idea was promoted through the "Super Cool Biz" campaign that was kicked off on Wednesday with a government-sponsored fashion show. It featured outfits deemed appropriate for the office yet cool enough to endure the summer heat.
However, the idea of summer officewear is not new. In 2005, then Environment Minister, Yuriko Koike introduced Cool Biz as an effort to fight global warming. Since then, more companies have taken on the idea, as reported by the Cabinet Office. In a 2005 nationwide poll of 2,000 respondents, less than a third said the idea had been implemented in their workplace. The figure increased to 47 percent in 2007 and reached 57 percent in 2009.
"This is not just about surviving this summer, but this is a big turning point for changing the way Japanese live and our lifestyle," said current Environment Minister Ryu Matsumoto.
In a nation where workers are known to wear dark suits regardless of the weather, the Environment Ministry is now suggesting that men consider wearing tight pedal pushers or carry a fan with them. Wearing Polo shirts, Aloha shirts and sneakers are acceptable officewear now, and jeans and sandals are permitted under certain circumstances.
The fashion show also included outfits for women, where khakis, white trousers and airy polyester dresses are acceptable officewear.
Japan is aiming to cut down on electricity consumption by 15 percent, following the damage of the Fukushima nuclear power plant by the tsunami in March. As electricity could be short in supply around the nation's capital during especially hot days, the government wants companies to limit air conditioning usage and set room temperatures at 28 degrees Celsius to prevent blackouts.
The Super Cool Biz campaign could also boost sales for retailers selling casual clothes, as consumers have cut back on spending since the natural disaster.
|
Friday, 10 June 2011
Hurriyet Daily News
|
|
