I was in Tokyo two years ago in August on business. First thing I noticed besides the crushing heat was a distinct lack of air conditioning in many of the offices where we were meeting. It was set to barely make it tolerable (about 80 degrees F) or not on at all because they were diverting all HVAC to cool the server rooms. Everyone had little sweat towels and the classic Japanese folding fans. I thought it was so cute and stereotypical my first day there - by then end of that day I was buying sweat towels and a fan for myself.

I saw one western businessman on the trains that didn't know what he was getting himself into. He had on a French blue dress shirt with no undershirt. It looked like someone splashed a bucket of water on him he was sweating so bad. I don't miss that at all.