Japanese men are baring more leg at work than ever before as Tokyo's governor pushes shorts into the office, but the new freedom has triggered a backlash over what some women call "leg hair harassment."
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government launched "Tokyo Cool Biz" in April, urging employees to swap suits and ties for t-shirts, trainers, and shorts. Governor Yuriko Koike hopes to build on her signature cool-down initiative, now a widely recognised annual summer tradition. Almost four months in, the policy is getting mixed reviews.
“Tokyo's shorts initiative faces backlash as women complain of 'leg hair harassment' from male colleagues.”
Some commentators enjoy the relaxed rules, helping them work more comfortably. Others say the policy is unfair to women, who are still expected to wear tights when showing their legs. A few women describe the experience of "leg hair harassment" — or "sunehara", a term coined online — referring to the discomfort of being forced to see a colleague's leg hair.
"We want to give people more options in the severe heat, not tell them what to wear," Tokyo Metropolitan Government environmental official Noboru Watanabe told the BBC. "There should be no issue as long as the work attire is not offensive to anyone."
But a June survey by Gorilla Clinic found 53.5% opposed wearing shorts to work in the summer while 46.5% were in favour. For those against, the main reason for both genders was concern over body shape and body hair. The clinic says women significantly outnumbered men in their response, indicating that women may be more resistant to seeing a male colleague's bare legs.
In recent years more Japanese workers, notably at startups and tech companies, have started wearing casual clothes. This year, the Tokyo government recommendation has made it more socially acceptable. Still, some men feel self-conscious about their leg hair.
Akifumi Funatsu, director of Gorilla Clinic, says he has noticed more clients coming not just for cosmetic reasons, but as a matter of "social etiquette when wearing shorts." He thinks women believe that "men should have less leg hair," which has prompted them to seek laser hair removal so as not to offend those around them.
Koike first introduced the summer wardrobe shift as Japan's environment minister in 2005, launching a national energy-saving campaign called "Cool Biz" to encourage short-sleeve shirts. Then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi was often seen in public without wearing a tie or jacket, helping get the word out. Now, with temperatures soaring over 40C, the debate over bare legs — and leg hair — has taken on a new intensity.