东京都知事小池百合子于4月推出"东京Cool Biz"夏季着装政策[1]，允许员工在办公室穿着T恤、运动鞋和短裤[1]。该倡议旨在应对夏季高温，但随之引发了关于workplace性别平等的激烈辩论。
根据Gorilla Clinic在6月进行的民调，53.5%的受调查者反对在夏季办公室穿短裤，而支持者占46.5%[1]。女性对该政策的反对程度明显高于男性，主要担忧包括身材和体毛暴露[1]。一些女性指责被迫看到男同事的腿毛构成"骚扰"，而女性员工仍需穿着紧身裤[1]。
政策的推行也带来了意想不到的副作用。Gorilla Clinic主任Akifumi Funatsu表示，越来越多男性客户因"穿短裤的社交礼仪"前来咨询激光脱毛服务[1]。
这不是小池百合子首次推行相关举措。她在2005年担任日本环境大臣期间首次推出"Cool Biz"倡议[1]，并在2011年东日本大地震后推出了"Super Cool Biz"[1]。
近期日本高温天气加剧了推行该政策的紧迫性。7月6日至12日期间，日本因中暑死亡7人，4580人住院[1]。
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike introduced the "Tokyo Cool Biz" summer dress code policy in April, which permits male office workers to wear t-shirts, sneakers, and shorts in the workplace. [1] The initiative aims to combat heat-related issues, as Japan experienced seven heat-related deaths and 4,580 hospitalizations between July 6-12. [1]
However, the policy has triggered significant controversy. Some women have described being required to view male colleagues' leg hair as a form of "leg hair harassment," while female employees remain expected to wear tight-fitting pants. [1] A June poll conducted by Gorilla Clinic found that 53.5 percent of respondents opposed wearing shorts in summer offices, compared to 46.5 percent in favor. [1] Women expressed notably stronger opposition than men, citing concerns about body appearance and body hair. [1]
The policy has had unexpected consequences. Akifumi Funatsu, director of Gorilla Clinic, reported that more male customers are seeking laser hair removal services due to concerns about "the social etiquette of wearing shorts." [1]
The "Cool Biz" concept is not new to Tokyo's governance. Koike first introduced the initiative in 2005 while serving as Japan's environment minister, and a more ambitious "Super Cool Biz" campaign was launched following the 2011 East Japan earthquake. [1]