All of the Tokyo metropolitan government officials, seen at right, wear turtlenecks when they attended a Dec. 2 ceremony with Governor Yuriko Koike, second from left, to mark the signing of an agreement with the Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association. The ceremony was held at the metropolitan government office. Shin Kasahara Turtleneck sweaters are all the rage at Tokyo metropolitan government offices after Governor Yuriko Koike urged residents to wear them to stay warm and reduce energy consumption this winter.
Staff and senior personnel rushed to purchase turtlenecks to drive the message home to the public and not stand out from others by sticking to regular shirt and tie attire.
The transformation from staid dark suits was triggered by comments made by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike during a Nov. 18 news conference.
Koike, who had donned a turtleneck sweater for the occasion, said keeping the neck warm makes a dramatic difference in cold weather. Colds can be prevented, and it is also helpful in slashing power consumption. The energy situation in the winter is stringent. Executives and subordinates wasted no time turning up at gatherings themed on environmental policies in turtlenecks or scarves, although the dress code is not mandatory.
A young male official welcomed the new standard, as I feel warmer and more at ease without having to knot a necktie. This is helping to dispel the public image of strait-laced civil servants. Some are finding it hard to adapt to informal attire.
A male senior official admitted to feeling awkward turning up at work without a shirt and tie, but he nonetheless purchased black and gray turtlenecks at a Uniqlo clothing store.
I did it because the governor recommended it, he said. It felt odd that all the Tokyo personnel started donning turtlenecks so abruptly. Sticking to it has become a form of tacit consent. Another senior official said that employees opted for turtlenecks largely because they wanted to stay in line with the governor's intention. According to Tokyo's Bureau of Environment, there are no clear estimates that wearing turtlenecks is a good way of cutting energy. An official responsible for managing the Shinjuku Ward Metropolitan Government's main office building said the heating system is set at 20 degrees as usual for this time of year.
The sweater campaign will continue through the end of March.