Post by : Badri Ariffin

Tokyo – When 22-year-old Hinako Mori moved to Tokyo last year, she deliberately chose a part-time job at Don Quijote, a major discount retailer, for one simple reason – freedom. Freedom to dye her hair any color she wanted.

Mori’s ash blonde hair, streaked with light and dark blue, reflects a trend spreading across Japan’s workforce. She changes her hair color every six weeks, a stark contrast to her previous experience at a large convenience store chain that demanded employees keep their hair black or dark brown. “One time, I dared to dye my hair blonde. The next day, I was told to either wear a wig or spray-on color. It was stressful,” Mori said.

Retailers Relax Traditional Rules

Facing a tight labor market, several Japanese companies have started loosening rigid rules around hair, makeup, and accessories. Don Quijote relaxed its policies three years ago, and today nearly a quarter of its employees sport brightly colored hair. Including brown shades, 55% of staff now have non-black hair.

Other retailers are following suit. Fuji Yakuhin, a drugstore chain, now allows any hair color, nail art, heavy makeup, and multiple rings for non-pharmacist employees – a major change from the past, when only wedding rings were permitted. Tokyu Store supermarkets have similarly eased restrictions on hairstyles, piercings, and nail polish.

The shift is part of a broader, gradual relaxation of dress codes in Japan, which began with the 2005 “Cool Biz” campaign that encouraged casual summer attire to save energy. Since then, uniforms at department stores have become optional, and white gloves for taxi drivers are no longer mandatory.

Labor Shortages Drive Change

Japan’s aging population and limited immigration have reduced the working-age population by 16% since 1995, creating intense competition for staff. A Reuters survey shows that two-thirds of companies report serious impacts from labor shortages. Part-time workers, particularly students, now hold more bargaining power.

A survey by job information firm Mynavi found that two-thirds of students expect freedom in personal appearance when working part-time. Around one-third reported withdrawing job applications because of strict dress codes. “Students aren’t just looking for money; they’re seeking freedom and comfort in their jobs,” said Shota Miyamoto of Mynavi.

Boundaries Remain

While the trend toward hair color freedom is clear, some traditional aspects of appearance remain taboo. Multiple facial piercings and tattoos, still associated with the yakuza, are generally discouraged or must be hidden. Larger, traditional companies, including major banks like Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp, maintain an unspoken expectation that personal appearance should not attract attention or create discomfort for customers.

The New Workplace Reality

For Japan’s younger workforce, bold hair choices symbolize more than fashion – they are part of a broader demand for individuality and flexibility. As companies face mounting pressure to attract talent, this quiet cultural shift is reshaping what is acceptable in Japanese workplaces, slowly bridging tradition and modernity.

#Business News