Tokyo- Major Japanese trader Itochu Corp. said Wednesday that it will launch a campaign to encourage its workers not to wear suits on Fridays and to come to work in casual attire instead on the final business day of the week, starting from Friday this week.

Itochu plans to revise its in-house dress codes by the end of this month, with changes including the lifting of the current ban on jeans.

The company hopes the "Casual Friday" campaign will increase motivation and flexible mindsets among its employees.

"This approach to work-style reform fits for Itochu, which started as a textile trader" in the mid-19th century, a company official said.

As part of the new campaign, stylists at major department store operator Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd.'s  flagship Isetan outlet in Tokyo's Shinjuku district will coordinate clothes for 10 Itochu employees. The event will be held four times a year.

Itochu also plans to hold other events, including those for mixing and matching outfits, beauty care and fashion. (Jiji Press)