So in an effort to curb global warming and save on energy bills… most Japanese offices (and all government offices) are kept at 82.4 degrees resulting in sweaty, smelly employees:
Japan has eagerly embraced technology and practices that will reduce emissions and combat global warming. It invented hybrid vehicles, has extensive mass-transit systems, and uses wind power. In 2005, Environment Minister Yuriko Koike, a pioneering female politician, was seeking ways to slash energy use. And she came up with the Cool Biz campaign. The idea: Government would cut energy bills by keeping thermostats in its buildings at 28 degrees Celsius—82.4 degrees Fahrenheit—during the summer. It quickly produced results and was adopted by the business establishment as well. Since Japan’s energy mavens realized that simply unbuttoning a shirt collar can make people feel about 4 degrees cooler, dressing down became part of the Cool Biz mentality.
I am so grossed out by this! No wonder they find so many contestants for their crack pot game shows — I would do just about anything to get out of my mold cesspool of an office!
