Japanese firms adapt dress codes for extreme heat as Dutch textile waste rules face criticism

Japanese companies are increasingly adapting corporate dress codes to protect employees from escalating summer heat. With Tokyo recording temperatures around 33 degrees Celsius, employers are encouraging workers to replace traditional business suits and leather footwear with lighter attire, while parasols have become widespread on city streets to shield commuters from intense sunlight.

Meanwhile, environmental regulations governing the apparel sector in the Netherlands are facing ongoing challenges. Legislation requiring clothing manufacturers to finance textile waste management was designed to curb excessive waste driven by fast fashion. However, industry observers note that the policy permits producers to settle their legal obligations by paying small fees of just a few cents per garment, doing little to compel major shifts toward genuine circularity or sustainable manufacturing practices.

Sources: NOS (Nederlandse Omroep Stichting), NRC