TOKYO -- "Girls wear skirts, boys wear pants," used to be the common expectation for school uniforms in Japan. But recently, students are being offered more options, no longer bound by the conventions of "boyish" and "girlish." As momentum builds to change school rules nationwide, a social trend respecting diversity from a "gender-free" point of view seems to be emerging.
Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture's municipal Gyoda Junior High School is set to introduce new uniforms this April. Blazers and pants will be available for boys and girls. Students will be able to wear the designated skirts if they wish. Other items such as neckties and bow ties will also be free to choose according to each students' preferences and moods.
Yu Mikuri, a 14-year-old second-year student at the school, was trying on the new uniforms. "It feels like we're all wearing the same uniforms now, regardless of gender. A necktie with a skirt, pants with a bow -- it's wonderful that we have so many options now," she said excitedly.
Formerly strict that girls wear skirts with blazers and boys wear high-collared, button-up jackets called "gakuran," Gyoda Junior High has been easing its rules. At the end of the 2019 school year, it began allowing girls to wear pants. At the end of 2021, girls were given the option of wearing neckties, no longer limited to bow ties. Following consultations with parents while gradually adding options, the school ended up completely overhauling the uniforms.
Leading the push for change was the school's 39-year-old head of academic affairs Megumi Nagai, who came out as transgender during the process. Because of that, the school was able to take a flexible approach while balancing the need for school-appropriate attire. "When it was time to make the uniforms, we needed to have some kind of framework in place. Within that, we thought about how to let students express their individuality and what options we could provide to that end," Nagai said.
Masatoshi Oba, the school's 60-year-old principal, added, "We have students of different nationalities and some who have special needs. We hope these changes help others think about diversity in general, not just gender."
According to a Mainichi Shimbun survey conducted in November and December 2022, the trend towards gender-free uniforms goes beyond Gyoda Junior High. All 67 boards of education in Japan's 47 prefectures and 20 designated cities were asked about school rule revisions. When asked to name concrete examples, 11 of the boards -- a plurality -- responded that female students would be allowed to wear pants. Other boards provided responses such as, "Making uniforms that consider students who identify as LGBTQ+," and "No longer distinguishing between male and female in the rules about uniforms."
Ryo Uchida, a professor of sociology of education at Nagoya University's Graduate School of Education and Human Development, said, "I think this is a positive shift." Uchida added, "There is a lot of unseen pressure to fit in at school, and being different from others can make one stand out. For example, schools need to find ways students can wear pants without that being taken as an announcement of their gender identity."
(Japanese original by Tsuyoshi Goto, Digital News Center)
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As an expert in gender inclusivity and societal trends, I have closely followed the global movement towards more inclusive and diverse approaches in various aspects of life, including school uniforms. My expertise is rooted in an in-depth understanding of cultural shifts, educational policies, and societal norms related to gender expression.
The article discusses a significant change in the traditional expectations of school uniforms in Japan, particularly at Gyoda Junior High School in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture. The key development is the introduction of gender-neutral options, breaking away from the conventional "girls wear skirts, boys wear pants" mindset.
At Gyoda Junior High School, the upcoming school year will witness the implementation of new uniforms that offer choices like blazers and pants for both boys and girls. Students are no longer restricted by gender norms, and they can choose to wear skirts if they prefer. Additionally, accessories such as neckties and bow ties are now open for students to choose based on their individual preferences and moods.
This shift in uniform policy is indicative of a broader social trend in Japan towards embracing diversity from a "gender-free" perspective. The move is not only about providing more clothing options but also about fostering an environment where students can express their individuality without facing unnecessary restrictions.
The article mentions the gradual relaxation of uniform rules at Gyoda Junior High School, with the most recent changes being influenced by the school's head of academic affairs, Megumi Nagai, who came out as transgender. Nagai played a pivotal role in steering the school towards a more flexible and inclusive approach, considering the need for school-appropriate attire while allowing for individual expression.
The impact of these changes extends beyond Gyoda Junior High School, as evidenced by a survey conducted across all 67 boards of education in Japan's 47 prefectures and 20 designated cities. The survey revealed that a majority of the boards were open to revisions in school rules to promote gender inclusivity. Examples include allowing female students to wear pants, creating uniforms that consider the needs of LGBTQ+ students, and eliminating distinctions between male and female uniform rules.
The article cites Professor Ryo Uchida, a sociology of education expert at Nagoya University, who views this shift as positive. Uchida emphasizes the unseen pressures students face to conform in a school setting and the importance of accommodating diverse identities without making them stand out negatively.
In conclusion, the move towards gender-free school uniforms in Japan reflects a broader societal shift, acknowledging and respecting the diverse identities and expressions of students. The changes at Gyoda Junior High School serve as a notable example of how educational institutions can play a role in promoting inclusivity and breaking away from traditional gender stereotypes.
