Super Cool Biz

Today I'm in Tokyo lecturing and meeting with industry, academic, and government leaders.

The weather is 85-90F with 85% humidity and 4mph winds.   It's hot and power is limited.

The Japanese are a very resilient people, so it's interesting to see how they have worked together to conserve energy.

In the Fujitsu offices where I was visiting with Professor Ikujiro Nonaka, the Super Cool Biz poster pictured above lined the entrance.

Here are the basic ideas

1.  Office thermostats are set to 82F.

2.  Office attire is relaxed with fewer ties and suits.   Super Cool Biz encourages polo shirts, Hawaiian shirts, running shoes and even appropriate T-shirts, jeans and sandals.

3. Switching off lights and unplugging computers that are not in use is encouraged.

4. Shifting work hours to the morning and taking more summer vacation than usual is suggested.  The Tokyo metropolitan government, for example, begins shifts at  7:30, 8 or 9 a.m. rather than at 8:30, 9 or 9:30.

5.  Store and restaurant hours are shifted so that they open later when the weather is cooler.  In my hotel, all power and air conditioning is shut off when I leave the room.  Businesses hand out fans at the door.

Everyone does their part to conserve and it works.

I'm dressed in my lightest weight black clothing and have abandoned my suit jacket.

Off to a day of lecturing and Super Cool Biz!