High Heels at Work Are ‘Necessary,’ Says Japan’s Labor Minister

Japan's health and labor minister said Wednesday that it is "necessary" for companies to make women wear high heels at work, the BBC reports.

Speaking to parliament Wednesday, Tamuki Nemoto defended of the gendered footwear practice, which women throughout the country have been campaigning to change.

Nemoto's comments were made in response to a petition submitted the previous day asking his ministry to ban companies from requiring women to wear certain kinds of shoes to work.

Japan's health and labor minister said Wednesday that it is "necessary" for companies to make women wear high heels at work, the BBC reports. Speaking to parliament Wednesday, Tamuki Nemoto defended of the gendered footwear practice, which women throughout the country have been campaigning to change. Nemoto's comments were made in response to a petition submitted the previous day asking his ministry to ban companies from requiring women to wear certain kinds of shoes to work.