Summer heat drives Japanese men to hair removal clinics

TOKYO, Japan — Clinics in Tokyo are reporting a sharp rise in male clients seeking body hair removal as summer temperatures climb, with many citing relief from sweat and discomfort as the reason for the visits. Yuki Kubo, 24, said he opted for leg hair removal at a Tokyo clinic as one of his New Year's resolutions, along with friends. He said smoother skin made him feel fresher and cleaner and reduced problems caused by perspiration. Hiroyuki Ota, a branch manager at a hair removal clinic in the Ginza district of the capital, said men had previously focused mainly on facial hair, but demand for treatment of other parts of the body has risen recently. The shift coincides with the wider acceptance of shorts, once considered children's wear or beachwear, among Japanese men in everyday settings. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has for years encouraged employees to wear lighter clothing and reduce the use of ties and jackets during hot weather, partly to save energy. Japan recorded its highest temperature on record last year at 41.8 degrees Celsius, and intensifying heat waves are creating conditions that make such practices more common.