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He may be leader of the world's second-largest
economy, but Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi
conceded on Tuesday that his powers stop at imposing fashion.
Koizumi has encouraged his Cabinet to
take off their ties and jackets this summer to save electricity
on air conditioning, but he said he was only giving advice
-- albeit advice he feels very strongly about.
"This will not be mandatory,"
Koizumi told a Cabinet meeting. "But it will be a
matter of common sense and fashion sense for individuals."
"If ministers are wearing ties and
jackets on hot days, it would be difficult for their subordinates
to take them off. Please understand that," he pleaded.
The government has decided to start the
dress-down campaign from Wednesday in an effort to conserve
energy resources as the nation tries to promote the Kyoto
Protocol against global warming.
All ministers are scheduled to appear
in casual wear at Koizumi's regular Cabinet meeting on
June 3, but some have already hinted they may rebel. --
AFP
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