JAPAN WATCH Daiwa Securities is apparently following the Japanese government’s “Cool Biz” light-summer-clothing campaign, a Japanese employee tells Greenbang.

The initiative, in its third year, encourages people to wear light clothing in a bid to cut the need for air conditioning.

Daiwa is running with the campaign by switching off the aircon. But apparently, members of staff can face dismissal for failing to wear ties and jackets in the office. So folk are unhappy.

One report from Japanese press says:

This year’s campaign features open-necked, half-sleeved Okinawan shirts called ”kariyushi wear,” meaning happy wear. Worn untucked, the garment is similar to a Hawaiian aloha shirt and has gained a significant foothold among white-collar workers. Okinawans normally wear kariyushi shirts from April to November.

In retaining the campaign launched two year ago by the government of his predecessor Junichiro Koizumi, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his ministers attended a Cabinet meeting June 1 wearing kariyushi shirts to mark the start of this year’s ”cool biz” campaign. Abe was seen wearing a long-sleeved shirt.

DPJ Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama said ”Cool Biz” is not something that can get men to remove their ties, adding that it is necessary for the government to come up with some credible ideas to make people aware of action that benefits the environment.

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