Japan - the world's
second-largest oil importer, after the United States - has moved to rediefine the uniform of business. Intended to cut summer air-conditioning bills. The
dark business suit, the beloved uniform for generations of salarymen,
is supposed to stay at home this summer. All public and private offices
- in a bid to save energy and reduce output of global warming gases -
are to set their air-conditioners at 28 degrees centigrade, or a
sweltering 82.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
"This summer I will not allow anybody with tie or jacket into my office," the environment minister, Yuriko Koike, told ministry employees on April 1, well in advance of the June 1 unofficial start of the air-conditioning season. In a press conference, she said that Cool Biz, a vaguely American fashion label pronounced "kuuru bizu," had been chosen among 3,200 suggestions submitted for Japan's new casual summer look. Read more (NY Times)
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