Cold? Wear Gloves, Japan Tells Workers

by | Nov 1, 2011

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The Japanese government is asking workers to pile on the sweaters as the country continues to face the possibility of electric outages.

Continuing power supply problems resulting from the Fukushima nuclear disaster led the government to launch a “Super Cool Biz” campaign in the summer, pushing employees to wear Hawaiian shirts, T-shirts and sandals to save electricity.

Today, the government launched a “Warm Biz” campaign, telling businesses and homeowners to set the temperature at a maximum of 20 degrees C (68 F). Ads are using a cartoon ninja character to model the wearing of scarves, gloves and leg warmers, the AFP reports.

The campaign also recommends eating root vegetables, ginger and traditional Japanese hotpot to warm the body, and advises workers get off the train one stop early and walk to boost their circulation.

As with the Cool Biz campaign, retailers look set to benefit. Uniqlo is preparing to shift more thermal underwear, and department stores are advertising a variety of knitwear.

The Japanese aren’t the only ones to emphasize the power of the sweater. Writing for Environmental Leader, RePower Canada general manager Iain Robertson pointed out the inefficiency of space heaters, which have become common in business environments.

“Common sense would suggest that those who are temperature intolerant should dress more appropriately to suit their personal temperature preference (or at least have a sweater on hand),” he wrote. “Would it be a good idea that the majority wear Hawaiian shirts because one or two are uncomfortable in an acceptable room temperature?”

Picture credit: lemurdillo

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