These last few days in Tokyo have been unbearably hot and humid with temperatures near to the mid-30’s and humidity levels at close to 100%. Judging by what some people wear you wouldn’t know it though as jeans and cardiagans are still worn by some Japanese as of course are the suits.

Japanese working customs are still very much formal and its part of the business culture that the salarymen wear their suits whatever the weather. These principles have been relaxed a little in the last 15 months or so due to Prime Minister Koizumi’s not-too-novel idea of introducing ‘Coolbiz’ which is where the jackets and ties are taken off to make life more bearable and mainly to help protect the environment. Japans arctic-like air conditioning in indoor public areas leads to ridiculously high fuel bills.

My company was a little late last year in agreeing to this approach which is hardly a brainwave of an idea but this year we don’t have to wear our ties between the start of June and the end of September.

It doesnt affect all though as the business men are still regularly seen dressed up in their formal attire though i have heard that some of them do take off their jackets once they get to work which seems a little stupid to me but thats one of many examples of how this countrys attitudes and culture are so different to that of the western world.