The Workers Rights 
The policy is a new, year-round “casual” dress rule for government officials in the Japanese prefecture of Miyagi, which permits polo shirts and sneakers to be worn at work, albeit with jeans, hoodies and shorts still off the list. This is an important change in the Japanese business environment as a whole, in which it has been customary to wear formal business attire.
Quick Facts on Japan Office Dress Code
| Detail | Info |
| Announced by | Miyagi Governor Yoshihiro Murai |
| Effective from | August 26, 2026 |
| Who it applies to | Miyagi Prefectural Government employees |
| Allowed | On top: Polo shirts, sneakers, T-shirts (with jacket) |
| Not allowed | Jeans, hoodies, shorts |
| Previous policy | Casual wear is allowed only May- October (“Cool Biz”) |
| Miyagi’s position | Last of Tohoku’s 6 prefectures to go year-round casual |
Why Japan Office Dress Code Is Changing
The Japanese workplace dress code for decades was very formal, with suits, neckties, and polished shoes as the mainstay, particularly in government agencies. The change began with the “Cool Biz” campaign, which was launched by the Japanese government to persuade employees to remove neckties and jackets at work in the summer in order to reduce the use of air conditioning.
Miyagi had been a member of the Cool Biz since its inception, which permits casual clothes to be worn in the office in Japanese style – but only during the months of May through October. The prefectural government employees’ union advocated for the policy to be implemented throughout the year in 2025. The request was granted and on August 26, 2026 Miyagi’s office dress code was changed to casual wear 365 days a year.
What You Can (and Can’t) Wear: A Clear Breakdown
The new rules are based on five principles. Staff are expected to exercise their own discretion, but within well-defined boundaries that will ensure that public confidence is not lost.
Acceptable Office Clothing in Japan (Miyagi, 2026)
- Polo shirt: Smart, professional and accepted garment.
- Sneakers: Allowed a significant change in the formal vs casual office wear in Japan.
- T-shirts with a jacket: This is what the governor himself wore at the press conference announcing the event.
Still Not Acceptable
- Jeans: Considered too casual for a government setting
- Hoodies: Not considered suitable office attire
- Shorts: Explicitly listed as inappropriate; Tokyo’s government allows them in, but not Miyagi, because “they have not become widespread in business settings within the prefecture.
Miyagi vs Tokyo: How Japan’s Dress Code Varies by Region
This update features one of the most interesting aspects, which is the regional gap. Although shorts are okay in Tokyo, Miyagi says that’s not the case here, given the fact that business casual can be interpreted differently across different workplaces in Japan.
| Feature | Tokyo Gov. Office | Miyagi Gov. Office |
| Casual wear year-round | Yes | Yes (from Aug 2026) |
| Polo shirts | Allowed | Allowed |
| Sneakers | Allowed | Allowed |
| Jeans | Not standard | Not allowed |
| Hoodies | Not standard | Not allowed |
| Shorts | Allowed | Not allowed |
This comparison reflects the fact that there is no such thing as a uniform Japanese business suit; regional variation, perceptions of the general public and workplace culture all affect the types of suits worn.
The Bigger Picture: Relaxation in Japan Office Dress Code, But Slowly
Now Miyagi Prefecture is officially Japan’s last prefecture to switch to a year-round casual wear policy. That’s a significant difference; it would imply that the Japanese take office attire changes slowly, and that in some areas, before the private sector follows, the local governments do.
The new policy is also being implemented in conjunction with further workplace enhancements in Miyagi. Soon, workers will be allowed to use portable computers at home as part of the program aimed at helping them to perform their roles as caregivers, parents, and emergency responders. The change will occur in October 2026.
The development of greater flexibility in the workplace as a result of smart clothing and not through regulation points to the fact that Japanese workplace fashion is entering a new era even if the topic of jeans and hoodies has not been discussed yet.
FAQs: Japan Office Dress Code
Do you know that sneakers are now permitted in Japanese offices?
Yes — with the new casual policy which took effect in August 2026, sneakers are now allowed in the government offices of the prefecture of Miyagi.
Can government workers in Japan wear jeans to work?
As is the case in many other cultures, jeans are not permitted in the office, not even under the new relaxed rules of Miyagi.
What is “Cool Biz” in Japan?
Cool Biz was a government program that promoted the use of lighter and less formal clothing in summer months (May-October) in order to limit the use of air conditioning. This has now been extended throughout the year in Miyagi.
Do all the schools in Japan have the same dress code?
No, there are variations in dress code policy for the workplace in Japan on a regional and industry basis. Shorts can be worn in the government office in Tokyo but not in Miyagi. There are different regulations for the private sector as well.
What is the difference between the old and new dress code policy for Miyagi?
As per the former dress code policy, casual dress was permitted from May to October. Casual dress will be allowed throughout the year from 26 August 2026.
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