Japan Redefines the Summer Business Suit

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)