News Japanese school uniform shake-up

[thomas]

In some lighter news: a public high school in Omiya, Saitama, has decided to adopt ready-to-wear clothes from Uniqlo as its uniform from the 2022 academic year. While regular school uniforms cost around 50,000 JPY, Uniqlo's amount to just 10-12,000 JPY. Two municipal junior high schools in Toba, Mie Prefecture , have also adopted Uniqlo clothes as "quasi-uniforms."

I find them more stylish than those horrible Prussian-style polyester uniforms.

Photo credit: Mainichi/Mineichiro Yamakoshi

Omiya Kita High School in Saitama's Kita Ward says the purchase cost for the items is about a quarter of current uniforms -- black school uniforms for boys and navy-blue blazers and skirts for girls -- which will also remain in use. [...] The school has allowed female students to wear pants since February 2021, after one asked not to wear a skirt. Vice principal Kenji Tsutsui said several female students wore trousers they had bought themselves during the 2021 school year. This time, the school decided on permanent measures for new uniforms wearable by both men and women. After reviewing ready-made clothing from several major chains, it was determined Uniqlo's could be converted to uniforms, and that their price and quality was acceptable. Current uniforms cost around 50,000 yen (about $430), but Uniqlo's cost only 10,000 to 12,000 yen (about $86 to 103) for the top and bottom, with some being home washable. Through online shopping, the clothing firm offers a variety of sizes that are close to custom-made. The school also allows students to prepare similar clothing if they cannot find a size that fits.

Public high school deems Uniqlo clothes acceptable uniform in Japan 1st - The Mainichi

SAITAMA -- A municipal high school in this east Japan city is adopting ready-to-wear clothes from Uniqlo as its uniform from the 2022 academic year in

mainichi.jp

 

[Lothor]

Good news and I hope this becomes widespread. Parents in Japan are badly financially squeezed, and it's heartening to see a policy based on sanity and pragmatism. Yes, those Prussian style uniforms look daft!

 

[thomas]

As temperatures in Japan continue to rise, schools are beginning to relax their traditionally strict uniform codes. Many institutions opt for more comfortable and practical options to combat the heat. Once a taboo, shorts and polo shirts are now becoming accepted student attire. These garments offer increased comfort and breathability, especially in the humid summer. Some schools are even introducing gender-neutral options, promoting inclusivity. The policy shift is in response to student concerns about heatstroke and the discomfort of traditional uniforms in sweltering conditions. With climate change driving increasingly hot summers, schools recognise the need to adapt to the changing environment.

Students of Saga Prefectural Ureshino High School in Saga Prefecture. The two students on the right are dressed in the school's
casual-style summer uniform, while the one on the left wears the regular summer uniform. (photo credit: Mitsugi Katsumi via Asahi).​

Ichikawa Junior and Senior High School, a private school in Chiba Prefecture, adopted a similar uniform of shorts and a polo shirt last school year. "It's so airy!" said a delighted Shun Muraoka, a third-year student in the junior high section who rides to school on a bike. Muraoka said he cycles to the school around 3 kilometres from JR Ichikawa-Ono Station. "I would drip with sweat when I had to be in a (regular) shirt," he said. "I also feel more comfortable in shorts because the cuffs of my pants don't get caught in the bicycle frame." School staff are happy to give the students new options. "We thought the new uniform would allow our students to beat the heat while also making it easier to do dress inspection and discipline by teachers," said Yasushi Tsuzuki, 64, a teacher at Muraoka's school, who is also in charge of out-of-school behaviour.

Polo shirts and shorts appearing as Japan schools ease uniforms | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis