Western Japan city adopts year-round casual dress code for employees

The Yao Municipal Government in Osaka, Japan, introduced a year-round casual dress policy for its employees in fiscal 2026. Staff are now allowed to wear T-shirts and sneakers as long as they maintain a clean, neat, and professional appearance. To help employees choose appropriate clothing, the city created a digital "Style Book" featuring younger employees modeling acceptable casual outfits.

The new policy aims to make the workplace more comfortable and attractive. While revealing clothing, flashy designs, and shorts are still prohibited, employees now have greater flexibility in what they wear. Many workers say the relaxed dress code helps them stay comfortable, regulate body temperature, and work more efficiently. So far, the city has received no complaints from residents about the change.

The policy was introduced partly to address recruitment and staffing shortages. Some newly hired graduates had declined job offers or resigned shortly after starting work, so the city hopes a more modern and flexible workplace will attract and retain employees. Although only about 30% of staff have adopted casual clothing so far, officials plan to continue encouraging the initiative while respecting the needs of employees who interact directly with the public.

Edited using generative AI tools. 
Sourcehttps://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260715/p2a/00m/0li/019000c

Comprehension

What changes did the Yao Municipal Government make to its dress code?
Why did the city create a digital "Style Book"?
What clothing items are still not allowed under the new policy?
Why did the city introduce a more casual dress code?
Why have many employees at public service counters continued to wear formal clothing?

Discussion

Do you prefer wearing formal or casual clothes at work? Why?
Should government employees be allowed to wear casual clothing? Explain your opinion.
How can a dress code affect employee comfort and productivity?
What factors make a workplace attractive to young employees?
Do you think appearance influences people's trust in public workers? Why or why not?
Have you ever had to follow a dress code at school or work? How did you feel about it?
What is considered appropriate workplace clothing in your country?
If you were creating a dress code for an office, what rules would you include?

Vocabulary

casual – relaxed and informal
professional – showing the qualities expected in a workplace
attire – clothing that someone wears
guidelines – rules or advice to help people make decisions
efficiency – the ability to do work quickly and well
recruitment – the process of hiring new employees
hesitant – unsure or slow to act because of uncertainty
initiative – a new plan or action to solve a problem or improve something