A New School Year in Japan Brings Gender-Free Uniform Choices, “Subscriptions”

As the new school year ramps up, students in one Japanese city will get a choice of uniforms — and parents a break on expensive prices.

By Jay Allen

A new school year starts in Japan next month. And with it are coming changes in school uniforms. This year, students in Oita prefecture middle schools will get more choices — and parents will get more help paying for them.

Gender-free uniform selection grows in Japanese schools

Kanko School Uniforms shows how it’s changed its designs to be more gender-neutral, eliminating differences in waist curvature and using unified color schemes. (Source: PR Times)

Starting this year, the city of Oita will join other school systems across the country in diversifying uniform selection. For the first time, the school will offer four different choices of uniforms — and students can select their preferred uniform, regardless of gender. Students can select from sets including a blazer, slacks, a skirt, or short pants.

The move follows a growing trend in Japan to respect sexuality and gender diversity. According to school uniforms manufacturer Tombo, the number of…