Falklands is a pressure point for the UK – and the US knows it
The Falkland Islands remain a geopolitical pressure point for the UK amid US-Iran tensions.
BBC News1 min read
Tokyo workers asked to swap suits for shorts to combat energy costs and heat
TL;DR
Tokyo public servants are encouraged to wear shorts instead of suits this summer to combat heat and rising energy costs linked to the US-Israel war on Iran. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on air conditioning.
Key points
- Tokyo officials encourage workers to wear shorts this summer
- Initiative aims to combat heat and rising energy costs
- Inspired by the Cool Biz energy-saving initiative
- Japan relies on the Middle East for 90% of its oil imports
- Rising oil prices linked to the US-Israel war on Iran
Mentioned in this story
TokyoJapanCool Biz
US-Israel war on Iran
Public servants working for the Tokyo metropolitan government are being encouraged to swap their suits for shorts this summer to combat sweltering heat and rising energy costs caused by the US-Israel war on Iran.
Inspired by the country’s Cool Biz energy-saving initiative, Tokyo officials hope the measure will cut dependence on air conditioning.
Cool Biz, launched by the environment ministry in 2005, initially encouraged bureaucrats to dispense with ties and jackets, but has so far stopped short of allowing them to display their bare legs in front of colleagues.
Japan and other countries in Asia are growing anxious about the economic effects of the conflict in the Middle East, amid rising oil prices and shortages of petroleum products such as jet fuel.
Resource-poor Japan is particularly vulnerable to a prolonged war as it depends on the Middle East for 90% of its oil imports, most of which pass through the strait of Hormuz. About 20% of the natural gas used in South Korea comes via the same route.
Vietnam, South Korea and other countries have taken steps to ration energy use, while other Asian nations have encouraged government officials to work from home or reduced the length of the working week. In Seoul, authorities have urged residents to make short trips on foot or by bicycle.
Japan has already tapped into its large strategic oil reserves, with local media reporting on Friday that it plans to release a further 20 days’ worth from 1 May. It is also sourcing oil imports from suppliers that do not use the strait of Hormuz.
Experts have warned that if shipping in the vital waterway doesn’t return to normal soon, the world’s fourth-biggest economy will eventually face a crude oil shortage. That could force businesses and households to make more drastic cuts in petrol and electricity usage reminiscent of those introduced during the oil shocks of the 1970s.
The threat of an energy crunch had been “one of the factors” in allowing Tokyo government staff to wear casual clothes to work, Agence France-Presse said, adding that some employees had been spotted in shorts, T-shirts and short-sleeved blouses since the initiative’s launch this week to coincide with the start of Japan’s heatstroke warning system.
Q&A
Why are Tokyo workers being asked to wear shorts this summer?
Tokyo workers are encouraged to wear shorts to combat sweltering heat and rising energy costs due to the US-Israel war on Iran.
What is the Cool Biz initiative in Japan?
The Cool Biz initiative, launched in 2005, encourages Japanese bureaucrats to dress more casually, initially allowing them to remove ties and jackets to save energy.
How does the US-Israel war on Iran affect Japan's energy costs?
The conflict has led to rising oil prices and shortages of petroleum products, significantly impacting Japan, which relies on the Middle East for 90% of its oil imports.
What percentage of Japan's oil imports come from the Middle East?
Japan depends on the Middle East for 90% of its oil imports, making it particularly vulnerable to geopolitical conflicts in the region.
