Wednesday, May 28, 2008Kyodo News
With reluctance, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda will stop wearing ties during work hours to get behind the government's annual Cool Biz energy-saving campaign, which starts Sunday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura said Tuesday.
While noting the prime minister "may not favor" going tieless, Machimura said Cabinet ministers will wear the Okinawa-style "kariyushi" light wear during a regular meeting June 6.
"I think he hopes to set an example as prime minister by calling on the people to work toward saving energy and changing their lifestyles," Machimura said.
The Cool Biz campaign, running from early June to the end of September, began in 2005 with government officials wearing light clothing with no ties or jackets at work so air conditioners can be kept at relatively high temperatures.
But the 71-year-old bespectacled prime minister continued to wear ties even during the campaign.
Asked how he will dress during this year's Cool Biz, Fukuda, who is struggling with sagging support ratings, told reporters Monday: "I don't want to look shabby. But there is no need to go against the trend."
Fukuda is hoping to take the initiative on environmental issues as host of the Group of Eight summit in July. Climate change will top the agenda.
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