Figure 1.--After World War II most Japanese primary schools dropped uniform requirements. Even these schools, however, often have some clothing rules. These children have to wear brightly-colored yellow caps on the way to and from school as a saftey precaution.

Primary schools in the early 20th century had simple uniformds with a simple military style. The boys generally wore long knee-length shorts. Often schools in rural areas were less strict about a uniform. The boys worn uniforms with A Prussian look--especially the secondary schools. The girls wore British looking sailor dresses. After World War II, attitudes changed. Manu primary schools dropped uniform requirements. Quite a number of schools continued to require a uniform, but the uniforms adopted at most schools no longer had a military look. A common uniform were sweaters and short pants. The shorts were often quite short. Both ankle and kneesocks were worn. Some younger boys wore tights. Some schools had blazers. Schools varied on their choice of headear, if any was chosen. The styles adoopted had a European look.

Pre-war Military Styles

Primary schools in the early 20th century had simple uniformds with a simple military style. The boys generally wore long knee-length shorts.

Traditional Clothes

Often schools in rural areas were less strict about a uniform. Many boys until World War II still wore traditional clothes as these rural schools.

Prussian Cadet Uniforms

Some primary schools before the War had Prussian cadet uniforms and a few continued to use this style after the War. The uniform was based on the Prussian cadet uniforms of the late 19th century. At this time Prussia/Imperial Germany was playing a major role inorganizing the modern Imperial Army in Japan. (At the same time the British Royal Navy was helping to train the Imperial Navy and this is reflected in the sailor suits adopted for girls' school uniforms.) .Only a few private schools used it. The cadet uniforms, however, were never very popular for primary schools. We do not have any precise numbers on the extent to whih the uniform was used a primary schools. It was seen as more appropriate for secondary-level students. It was extensively worn at both junior high and senior high schools. The uniform was virtually identucal at both primary and secondary schools. It consisted of a military-style cadet cap, a navy blue high-collar cadet jacket and matching pants. The only major difference between the uniform worn at primary and secondary schools is thsat the primary school boys wore short pants. Some junior highs also had short pants until the 1970s. As far as we know the senior highschool students always wore long pants. Individual schools added minor details to customize their school's uniform.

Sailor Suits

Some primary schools adopted the sailor suit as a uniform for girls. It was like the Prussian cadet uniform, however, primarily seen as a style for secondary-level students.

Regular Clothes

After World War II, attitudes changed. most Japanese primary schools dropped the requirement that primary-age children had to wear uniforms. This decession made at schools throughtout Japan probably reflects the Japanese rejection of militarism in the aftermath of the War, although curiously most secondary scjools retained the military-styled uniforms. . Not all schools did this, but about two-thirds did so. Thus schoolwear at these schools followed overall Japanese fashion trends. While these schools did not have uniforms, many did have a variety of rules about schoolwear. One common rule was that the children had to wear brightly colored caps for saftey reason. The caps made them more vissible to motorists. Some schools required boys to wear short pants.

White Collar Uniform

I am not sure what to call this style of uniform. It has a slight military look to it, but not like the Prussian cadet cap. It is a blue jacket worn with a large white open collar. In some ways it reflects the Japane Army uniform worn in tropical countries, only done in blue. The boys wore matching blue shorts and both ankel and kneesovks deprnding on the school. Both white and blue sicks were worn. This uniform was normally worn with a floppy blue cap. The jackets we have noted did not have lapels and button higher up the front than a blazer. This style was often worn with white kneesocks.

Blue Sweater and Shorts

Most primary schools dropped uniform requirements. Quite a number of schools continued to require a uniform, but the uniforms adopted at most schools no longer had a military look. The styles adoopted had a European look. The most common primary school uniform was a white shirt and blue shorts. Some schools had light blue shirts, but white shirts were much more common. Few schools required the boys to wear ties. Blue sweaters were worm during cool weather. Some schools had blue blazers, but conventions varied from school to school as to how commonly they were worn. The shorts were often quite short. Boys wore both ankle and kneesocks. Some younger boys wore tights. Schools varied on their choice of headear, if any was chosen.

English Style Uniform

We note some boys wearing a British style uniform with peaked caps, grey short pants suits, and kneesocks. Durung the Winter the boys wear British looking overcoats. Except for the Japanese faces, one might think you were in London. As far as we know this is a destinctive unform at a private school, not a commonly worn uniform style at Japanese schools. Curiouly the peaked caps come with chin straps. Only a few of the boys use them. We note boys at other schools more commonly wearing these chin straps with floppy caps.

Created: May 7, 2004
Last updated: May 10, 2004