It sounds strange, but I was actually thinking, "What the heck is he doing with 4 pairs of trousers"? I suppose 2 pairs for work and 2 for relaxing if he changes at the end of the day... But then why only 3 shirts?
I wonder if this article got slashed to the minimum by the editor because I'm actually really intrigued by what things he finds essential and why. But there is nothing in the article other than to assert that this is a growing trend.
Disclosure: When I moved to Japan I gave up all my possessions (either sold or gave away) and at the age of 39 owned only what would fit in my backpack. I've slowly accumulated more, but I keep fighting to keep it as small as possible. I only need 2 pairs of trousers because I work from home ;-)
It's not strange, I was thinking that too. Trousers basically don't get dirty from being on your body, all the dirt comes from outside. I can wear the same pair of trousers for weeks before I need to wash them. Shirts, though, may last as little as two or three days if it's hot and wet outside. And summer in Japan is that way.
They really aren't. I used to wash all my clothes by hand every day. If you don't know how to do it, though, it might take longer for trousers to dry.
Just in case anyone is interested, wring out the water reasonably well from your clothes. But don't be too harsh because you will rip them eventually. Instead, lay them out on a fluffy towel. Roll the towel up. Step on one end and then twist the other end until you can't twist any more. Unroll. Hang up everything including the towel.
As I used to do my wife's clothes as well, don't do this with a bra with an underwire ;-) The best thing I found was to fold the towel over the bra and step on it. Bras dry pretty quickly anyway.
I've done the hand washing thing off and on for several years. I think the longest stretch was 8 months. The only reason we have a washing machine now is that my wife does the washing and doesn't like washing by hand. But if you do it every day, I don't think it takes any more active time than washing dishes by hand. If you let the clothes pile up for a week, though, you are in for a long day ;-) (clothes take considerable strength compared to dishes).
I think the main problem in Japan is during the rainy season (now). It can take quite a long time for clothes to dry. As the parent says, you can get by without washing trousers. If I was working in an office, I would be hard pressed to go without 4 shirts. Either that or occasionally go in with a damp shirt...
