Image Source: crownagents.com
Traditional Japanese companies are sticklers for the business suit as the proper dress code for work environments. In the recent months, there have been petitions from rank and file and middle management for leniency in dress code. One of the main reasons is the problems of energy supply which prevents offices from turning on their air-conditioning system on full power. The 2011 earthquake continues to have effects on workers in this sense. Some Japanese companies have caved and allowed for casual dress code. This means that short sleeve dress shirts are allowed in corporate offices and women can wear shorter skirts and more comfortable shoes.
Once the weather gets colder, women are expected to go back to wearing below-the-knee skirts, no pants, and conservative blouses. Their shoes should be closed toe as compared to the sandal-type heeled shoes and low-heeled. High heels are not considered appropriate. Women are also not encouraged to wear jewelry and heavy make-up. Women in the corporate workplace should also keep their hair neat and tidy, pulled away from the face.
For men, dark suits and a white shirt is preferable. Wearing flashy, bright colors is frowned upon as being part of the Japanese mafia or organized crime. The byword is the same as with the women which is conservative formal dress code. A popular quote in Japan regarding dress code is, “The nail that sticks out gets hits with a hammer.” Essentially, this means that in Japan, it’s better to be overdressed conservatively than to be underdressed. Casual office attire is only acceptable in social outdoor events like a sports meet, karaoke party, or picnic.