This year, the “Cool Biz” campaign was moved forward and started on the 3rd of this month. Previously, it began on May 1st, but in recent years, as temperatures have been rising earlier, the start was moved up by about a month. From this year, shorts have also been allowed.
On the 22nd, when the “Special Warning Alert” began operation, the working environment at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building was opened to the press. On the floor where the Environmental Bureau’s General Affairs Division is located, employees were working in T-shirts and sneakers.
Toru Shuda (34), from the Regional Energy Section, who was wearing shorts, said he has already come to work in shorts several times. “It’s already hot, so it’s really comfortable. Once you get used to it, you can’t stop,” he said. Kazuo Shigeta, the Public Relations Section Chief, said, “Even in meetings with private sector people, we want to inform them in advance about the Cool Biz initiative and have staff come in casual attire.”
On the 11th, a temperature of 28.4 degrees Celsius was observed in the Tokyo area, marking the first summer day of the year, excluding the island regions. In response to the energy crisis caused by the situation in the Middle East, the Tokyo government aims to promote Cool Biz as a countermeasure.
