Kariyushi shirt

Eventually, many individuals related to the tourist trade such as hotel staff, travelers and tour guides began to wear them.

[citation needed] In 2005, when the "Summer casual dress" idea was introduced mainly for the Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Yuriko Koike, the environment minister, also took on the responsibility of minister for Okinawa and promoted the kariyushi shirt as part of the Cool Biz campaign.

Koizumi had already worn the Kariyushi shirt at the 2003 Japan Pacific Islands Summit, which was held in Okinawa.

Utility companies and the Japanese government promoted lower power usage during the summer, to help reduce consumption by 15 percent.

This campaign was known as Setsuden, and office workers during this time switched their suits for the cooler kariyushi shirt.

They are often used to promote tourism in Okinawa, and have been established in replacing the standard white shirt and tie for Okinawan office workers during the summer.

[citation needed] In 2005, the Cool Biz campaign prompted members of the Okinawan cabinet, mostly in central government, to wear the shirt during work hours.

Kariyushi shirts usually have a left chest pocket sewn in, often with attention to ensure the printed pattern remains continuous.

Patterns on the shirt use motifs from scenery characteristic to Okinawa such as bitter melons, hirami lemons, and Okinawan dragon boats.

Post office workers and Japan Transocean Air have their own characteristic shirt which they wear in the summer as part of their uniform.

Even members at branch offices belonging to Okinawan companies located outside of Okinawa wear the shirt on "casual Friday".