Japan Politicians Cut Ties to Tackle Global Warming
Date: 29-Apr-05
Country: JAPAN
Government workers and politicians are being encouraged to dress down between June 1 and Sept. 30 so that air conditioner thermostats can be set higher to save energy.
"As long as you don't offend people, anything is fine," said Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who has a penchant for no-necktie summits with other world leaders.
"It doesn't have to be a special shirt, it can be the type you wear with a tie," he told reporters.
Fashion commentators disagreed.
"The shirts people wear to the office are designed for wearing with a tie," said Shinro Hayashi, editor of Men's Club, Japan's oldest men's fashion magazine. "If you just leave off the tie and jacket, you have an aesthetic problem."
Though some Southeast Asian countries boast distinctive light formal wear, Japan has nothing similar to offer.
"It's very difficult. A suit is the best, but if I was really forced, I think I would go for a linen shirt," Hayashi said.
