I'm in Tokyo and it's pretty hot. Around 36 degrees and humid and it hasn't been cooling down in the evening or overnight. Having an image in my head of Japan as a very formal business environment, I packed my suit jacket and a few ties. However, a few years ago the government passed a law that air conditioners in buildings cannot be set lower than 24 degrees, in order to reduce CO2 emissions (a bit different to Singapore where women often put cardigans or pashminas on inside the super-cool shopping malls and office buildings). For Japan, this policy has resulted in a lessening of business formality over the summer months. While there are still some people in full suits walking around, there are much more men just in long- (and even short-) sleeve business shirts with no tie. Something which you don't see in Australia or Singapore are businessmen carrying what is essentially a thin hand washer around with which to wipe away sweat from their face and neck. Nor do you see men in a meeting or on the train pull out a hand fan and wave it against their face to cool down. It's very interesting to see things that are normal in one culture but would be considered uncool or daggy in another.
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Hi Matt,
ReplyDeleteI am interested in the Min Temperature during Summer that an Aircon can be set. Is there a max temp during winter?
Sounds like they actually do something, not just the hot air from the Politcal parties here.
Hi Jim, not sure about Winter but I was interested to see people following the law. I assume there are some checks that must be done but it would be hard to police. They may be relying on peer pressure for people to self-monitor thier workplaces.
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