Men in shorts are shaking up Japan’s buttoned-down offices

Tokyo's 'Cool Biz' initiative, launched after successive summers of record-breaking heat, allows government workers to wear shorts in the office, prompting delicate questions about workplace etiquette and personal grooming, including concerns about hairy legs. The policy represents a significant shift in Japan's traditionally formal office dress code, challenging long-standing norms of professional appearance. The initiative aims to reduce energy consumption from air conditioning while adapting to rising temperatures. The article explores the cultural tensions between comfort and propriety, with some workers embracing the change and others expressing discomfort about exposed legs in professional settings.