INSIDE JAPAN from our view

Model Hitomi wears a "Warm Biz" bra from Triumph International in Tokyo on Wednesday.  Japan Times : The bra, made from boa fiber, is attached to long straps which can wrap around the neck to keep the wearer warm. It was created to promote the government-led campaign, which encourages people to wear warm clothes to conserve energy.

 This summer was a historical year for Japanese business persons. COOL BIZ was introduced and encourage by government. COOL BIZ is a movement which says  "do wear business suits that help us to feel cool during summer". Japanese tend to wear formal suits whenever we go to companies. That is said to be the reason we spend more electricity than we should do if we wear not formal but pleasant suits. Environment has been one of key issues in Japan for more than a decade. And Japanese people are very easy to obbey whatever seems to be trendy.

 COOL BIZ which our government declared ended in a great success. Nearly half of us began to adapt to COOL BIZ so that many departments and apparel company could earn enough money.

 So WARM BIZ has come. Government now says that WARM BIZ is much more important than COOL BIZ because WARM BIZ can save four times more electricity than COOL BIZ can. In addition to this government recommendation, Japanese economy is now getting its confidence again. It seems that WARM BIZ will become second boost to Japanese economy.