Tokyo Office Workers Can Now Wear Shorts

Apr 24, 2026, 07:45

Introduction

The Tokyo government made a new rule. Workers can now wear shorts to the office. This rule helps them use less air conditioning. Energy costs are high because of the war in the Middle East.

Main Body

The new rule is part of a plan called "Cool Biz." Japan started this plan in 2005. At first, workers did not wear neckties or jackets in summer. Some wore special shirts from Okinawa. Now, the rule is bigger. Workers can wear polo shirts, T-shirts, sneakers, and shorts. A Tokyo official said the war in the Middle East was one reason for the change. Last week, some male workers wore shorts and T-shirts. The leader of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike, started the Cool Biz plan 20 years ago. She likes the new rule. She said, "We have a serious problem with electricity." She also wants people to work from home and start work earlier. Last year was the hottest summer in Japan since 1898. The weather agency now has a name for very hot days. They call them "kokusho" or "cruelly hot" days. These are days when the temperature is 40 degrees or more.

Conclusion

The Tokyo government made a new dress code for its workers. They can wear shorts to use less air conditioning. The rule is because of high energy costs from the Middle East war and a very hot summer.

Vocabulary Learning

hot
Having a high temperature熱的
Example:Summer is very hot in Japan.
rule
An official instruction about what you can or cannot do規則
Example:The school has a rule about uniforms.
start
To begin something開始
Example:We start work at 9 o'clock.
wear
To have clothes on your body穿著
Example:I wear a shirt to work.
work
To do a job or task工作
Example:She works in an office.

Sentence Learning

The Tokyo government made a new rule.
This sentence uses the past simple tense 'made' to talk about a finished action.本句使用過去簡單式'made'來描述一個已完成的動作。
Workers can now wear shorts to the office.
The word 'can' shows ability or permission. 'Now' means at this time.單詞'can'表示能力或允許。'Now'的意思是現在。
This rule helps them use less air conditioning.
'Helps them use' means makes it easier for them to use. 'Less' means a smaller amount.'Helps them use'的意思是使他們更容易使用。'Less'的意思是更少的數量。
Energy costs are high because of the war in the Middle East.
'Because of' shows the reason for something. 'Are high' describes the present situation.'Because of'表示某事的原因。'Are high'描述現在的情況。
Last year was the hottest summer in Japan since 1898.
'The hottest' is a superlative adjective, meaning number one in heat. 'Since 1898' means from that year until now.'The hottest'是最高級形容詞，意思是熱度第一。'Since 1898'的意思是從那一年到現在。