Genderless school uniforms is beneficial for all students in Japan

Japanese culture is well known for its emphasis on gender roles. Traditional ideas of men being breadwinners and women being housewives are still pervasive. The separate roles of men and women are also reflected in other areas of life. One famous example is Japan’s gendered school uniforms, with suits for boys and sailor-style uniforms for girls.

These school uniforms were first introduced in Japan during the Meiji Era. Now, as times are changing and there is more recognition of sexual identity issues, some uniform manufacturers and schools are gradually introducing genderless options.

Movement respecting sexual minorities

Tombow is a uniform maker that was founded in the Meiji Era. Its long history does not mean it’s stuck in the past. It is one manufacturer that has designed unisex clothing along with Shinshu University in Nagano. Respecting transgender students and other sexual minorities is a big motivation behind the introduction of the uniforms.

This is part of a growing trend over the past few years to cater to the needs of LGBTQ students. As a result, more and more schools across Japan are taking steps to various degrees. Most common is allowing female students to wear slacks as a first step. However, some schools have gone further, such as dropping gender designations altogether.

Uniform issues are serious and must be tackled

The move is a positive step as transgender students and other sexual minorities often feel mental distress over having to wear uniforms that don’t match their identities. The head of the non-profit FRENS, an organization that supports LGBTQ people, states that some students even stop attending school because of it.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology sent out a notice to schools in 2015 encouraging them to increase support for LGBTQ students in various ways. School uniforms are a part of this push.

Increased equality for all students

LGBTQ students in Japan are not the only ones who benefit from the change. In fact, some cisgender students find traditional school uniforms uncomfortable and restrictive. Female students at schools that have introduced unisex uniforms have opted for trousers. They say that the pants provide better protection against the cold and are better for physical activities. In Nagasaki, a public high school found that slacks became more popular after a positive reception in one of its after-school clubs.

On the other hand, there has been a bit of pushback regarding changes to men’s uniforms. Another school saw reluctance to introduce three-quarters pants for male students to deal with the heat better. Prejudice and ignorance are behind some of the objections. However, there are concerns about students standing out and being bullied.

Overall, the introduction of genderless uniforms is a positive step that schools and the education system can continue to build upon. Regardless of one’s feelings on uniforms themselves, it is a good move for LGBTQ students to feel comfortable within the current system. The positive reception from some cisgender students also shows that everyone benefits from increased choice. Equality can only really come about when the rights and needs of everyone, regardless of gender, sexuality or gender identity, are respected.