Japan's push for cooler office clothing has created an unexpected workplace debate. Should men remove their leg hair before wearing shorts to work?
As temperatures climb, Tokyo is encouraging employees to ditch traditional suits and embrace more relaxed outfits. However, the change has left some workers worrying about whether their bare legs will make colleagues uncomfortable.
The new approach is reportedly part of Tokyo's summer Cool Biz initiative, which aims to help people stay comfortable in extreme heat while reducing energy use. But while many workers welcome the chance to trade formal trousers for shorts, others are facing a new concern — office etiquette and the pressure to look perfectly groomed.
Ditching suits for shorts in Japan's offices. (Maybe this trend will catch on worldwide!!!) https://t.co/ldcMHkJEHT
— Gaurav Dalmia (@gdalmiathinks) July 20, 2026
Tokyo's New Rule Brings Shorts Into Workplaces
For decades, the image of the Japanese office worker has been closely linked with dark suits, buttoned-up shirts and ties. However, Tokyo's latest workplace clothing recommendations are challenging that tradition by allowing employees to wear shorts, T-shirts and trainers during the hottest months.
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike expanded the city's summer dress code as part of the long-running Cool Biz campaign, which first launched in 2005 when she was Japan's environment minister. The original initiative encouraged workers to remove jackets and ties to reduce reliance on air conditioning.
Now, with summers becoming increasingly intense, officials have gone further. Noboru Watanabe, an environmental official at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, told the BBC: 'We want to give people more options in the severe heat, not tell them what to wear. There should be no issue as long as the work attire is not offensive to anyone.'
Bare Legs Spark Debate Among Japanese Workers
The biggest surprise from the shorts debate has been the conversation around male leg hair. Some Japanese commentators have started using the term 'sunehara' — meaning 'leg hair harassment' — to describe discomfort some people feel when seeing colleagues' exposed legs in a professional setting.
A June survey by Gorilla Clinic found that 53.5% of respondents were against men wearing shorts at work. Meanwhile, 46.5% supported the idea. Concerns about body hair and appearance were among the biggest reasons people felt unsure about the change.
The debate has also highlighted different expectations placed on men and women. Some critics argue that women in Japan have long faced pressure to maintain a certain appearance at work, including wearing tights, managing body hair and following strict grooming standards.
Men in shorts are shaking up Japan's buttoned-down offices https://t.co/PmF9TVSsDW
— Meg Maggio (@megmaggio88) July 20, 2026
Some Men Are Choosing Laser Hair Removal
For some Japanese men, the answer to the shorts dilemma has been laser hair removal.
Akifumi Funatsu, director of Gorilla Clinic, said more clients have been visiting the clinic because they see hair removal as part of workplace preparation — not just a cosmetic choice.
The trend reflects a growing concern among some men that visible leg hair could make them appear less polished or considerate around colleagues. In Japan, where neat and tidy appearances are often valued in professional settings, some workers feel pressure to avoid standing out for the wrong reasons.
Toshio Suzuki, a public relations employee, told The New York Times that he had avoided wearing shorts because he did not want to make female colleagues uncomfortable. Instead, he shaved the exposed parts of his ankles while sticking with longer trousers.
New Era for Japan's Office Dress Code?
Japan's shorts debate is about more than just clothing. It reflects a wider conversation about comfort, professionalism and the expectations placed on workers' appearances.
For some employees, wearing shorts is a simple solution to unbearable summer heat. For others, it comes with a new list of worries — from choosing the right length to deciding whether their legs need extra grooming.
As temperatures continue to rise, Japan's workplaces may have to redefine what professional style looks like. And for some men, that future could involve not only buying a new pair of shorts but also booking a laser hair removal appointment first.
