The usage of School uniforms in Japan began in the mid-19th century. Previously, students wore standard everyday clothes to school:
kimono for female students, with for male students. During the
Meiji period, students began to wear uniforms modelled after Western dress.
Late 19th century: The Hakama era In the 1880s female students wore Western dress, but this came to be considered impractical.
Utako Shimoda, a
women's activist, educator and
dress reformer, found traditional kimono to be too restrictive. She argued that the Kimono prevented women and girls from moving and taking part in physical activities, thus harming their health. While western dress was being adopted at the time, she also believed
corsets to be restrictive and also harmful to women's health. She adapted the clothing worn by ladies-in-waiting at the Japanese imperial court, which included , to make a uniform for her
Jissen Women's University. During the Meiji period (1868–1912) and the following
Taishō period (1912–1926), other women's schools also adopted the . It became standard wear for high schools in Japan,
World War II era During
World War II, student uniforms became militarised and were altered to accommodate the fact that schoolgirls were being drafted as factory workers to replace men who had gone to the front lines. Wearing skirts was deemed impractical and so loose slacks known as (a traditional Japanese farming outfit) were issued as alternatives. Students were also required to wear large name tags () bearing their name, address, and blood type for emergency identification. Additionally, head-protecting cushions () were distributed to prepare for air raids.
Mid 20th century Following World War II and the
Occupation of Japan by the United States, many schools adopted a more Western-patterned
Catholic school uniform style. In 1986, the Akashi School Uniform Company published the book
“Seifuku Kakumei” (School Uniform Revolution), which successfully advocated that high schools should have their own unique variants of the seifuku. Two years later, in 1988, the company introduced student uniforms designed by the fashion designer
Hanae Mori, sparking a trend where other uniform companies began collaborating with well-known designers to create stylish uniforms. Amongst the designers who became involved in uniform design following Hanae Mori was
Kansai Yamamoto. {{multiple image During the 1980s and 1990s, Japan experienced a period of economic prosperity often referred to as the "
Bubble Era." This period brought significant cultural shifts, especially among young people, who embraced the concept of
kawaii (cute) as a form of self-expression. Schoolgirls, in particular, became trendsetters by adopting playful and colourful fashion elements into their uniforms. The sailor uniform remained popular, but it was often customized with longer skirts, colourful ribbons, and loose socks. Another popular style combines sailor uniforms with casual elements like cardigans and loafers. This trend coincided with the emergence of the
kogal subculture, where girls tanned their skin, dyed their hair blonde or brown, and wore shortened skirts. While these styles were seen as rebellious, they were also perceived as empowering expressions of individuality. This fashion movement significantly influenced Japanese pop culture, from music videos to television dramas, and sparked international interest in Japanese youth fashion.
21st century As Japan entered the 21st century, educational reforms and societal changes led to the gradual standardization of school uniforms. Many schools moved away from sailor suits in favour of blazer uniforms, which were considered more practical and professional. These new uniforms typically featured pleated skirts, blazers, ties, and loafers for girls, while boys wore blazers with trousers and ties. The
gyaru subculture of the 2000s, with its bold fashion statements, continued to influence school uniform modifications. However, as social norms tightened and dress codes became stricter, overt customization became less common. Instead, the focus shifted towards more subtle personalisation, such as varying the style of socks or adding discreet accessories. , 50% of Japanese junior high schools and 20% of senior high schools use sailor suit uniforms. The stated in 2012 that, "The sailor suit is changing from adorable and cute, a look that 'appeals to the boys,' to a uniform that "girls like to wear for themselves." As of that year, contemporary sailor suits have front closures with zippers or snaps and more constructed bodices. The stated that "the form is snug to enhance the figure—the small collar helps the head look smaller, for better balance." In the 2020s many Japanese high schools are pivoting to items such as gender-neutral blazers to accommodate LGBT students. ==Usage==