Cool Biz campaign

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The Japanese Ministry of the Environment (MOE) began advocating the Cool Biz campaign in summer 2005 as a means to help reduce electric consumption by limiting use of air conditioning. This idea was proposed by then MOE minister, Yuriko Koike under the Koizumi cabinet.

1 Plan
2 Result of Cool Biz Campaign
3 Warm Biz
4 Cool Biz outside Japan
5 External links

[edit] Plan

According to the Environment Ministry, central government ministries were to set air conditioner temperatures at 28°C until September. The Cool Biz dress code advises workers to starch collars so they stand up and to wear trousers made from materials that breathe and absorb moisture. Additionally, workers are encouraged to wear short sleeved shirts without jackets or ties. Many workers, though, were confused about whether they should follow the new stipulations—many came to work with their jackets in hand and their ties in their pockets. Even those who liked the idea of dressing more casually sometimes became self-conscious during their commutes when they were surrounded by non-government employees who were all wearing standard business suits. Many government workers said they felt it was impolite not to wear a tie when meeting counterparts from the private sector.

All of the government leaders practiced Cool Biz. Prime Minister Koizumi was frequently interviewed without a tie or jacket, and this produced a significant advertising effect.

[edit] Result of Cool Biz Campaign

On October 28, 2005, the MOE announced results of the Cool Biz campaign.[1] The MOE conducted a web-based questionnaire survey on the "Cool Biz" campaign on September 30, 2005, covering some 1,200 men and women randomly extracted from an internet panel recruited by a research company. Survey results indicate that 95.8% of respondents knew Cool Biz and 32.7% of 562 respondents answered that their offices set the air conditioner thermostat higher than in previous years. Based on these figures, the ministry estimated that the campaign resulted in a 460,000-ton reduction in CO₂ emission, the equivalent volume of CO₂ emitted by about 1 million households for one month. The results for 2006 were even better, resulting in an estimated 1.14 million-ton reduction in CO₂ emission, the equivalent to the CO₂ emissions by about 2.5 million households for one month.[2]

The ministry has also stated that it intends to continue encouraging people to set summer office temperatures at no lower than 28°C as well as work to have the Cool Biz concept take permanent root in society.

[edit] Warm Biz

During winter 2005, there was talk on many of the major news networks of promoting a Warm Biz style for winter, suggesting that people wear heavy turtleneck shirts instead of a tie and collar. Warm Biz was not endorsed by the Japanese government, however, and the idea did not gather much support.