Cloths shows exactly your position in society. Almost all men working in an office, not part of the high ranking, the salary men, wear a black suit, (most of the times) white shirt and a tie. It is a kind of a uniform. Like labour men wearing a dim green overall, or securityman in blue with a fluorescent jacket and helmet.
Are you walking the streets in shorts and on thongs it is very clear that you are spending your free time. Students do wear the odd T-shirt but for the others T-shirts are underwear. It is highly appreciated when you state your position in society by dressing appropriately. It creates clarity and rest and prevents painful misunderstandings. And that is very important in Japan.
Unfortunately foreigners are not so keen on these dress codes. But that is not a real problem, you are not Japanese anyway. Your position in Japanese society is nondescript anyway. We are foreigners here and that's what we are.
Architects don't wear ties in the Netherlands. If you do, you are not considered very trustworthy. In Takenaka's office in Europe all Japanese architects did wear a tie of course. Then confusion rose when I worked with the Japanese architects in Slovakia for a Korean client. I was the only architect without a tie in the meeting. As long as you are dressed very properly it is not a problem. Foreigners get quite some slack. The Slovak coworkers really had trouble in wearing a tie decently. That is terrible too. On the other hand the Slovak staff were not participating in client meetings.
So what to wear? I feel comfortable in pants, shirt and proper shoes. And be honest: it is more comfortable for everybody when you are not walking in underwear outside your home.
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