In a nationwide campaign to save energy by cutting down on air-conditioning, the Japanese government has asked public workers to leave their ties and jackets home for the summer. The effort, dubbed "Cool Biz," comes as Japan's Environmental Ministry seeks to meet targets under the Kyoto global warming protocol. Though some private companies already allow employees to dress casually for summer, the government endorsement is expected to make casual attire more acceptable.
See "Japan Workers to Dress Casual This Summer", Associated Press, The New York Times, May 30, 2005