Japanology Plus (2014)

Season 5: Episode 37

Uniforms are a familiar sight in Japan, whether it’s the jacket of a taxi driver, or the black suit of a new office worker. Among the most visible examples are the uniforms worn by middle and high school students. They often feature distinctive collars and buttons, originally based on naval or army clothing. This time on Japanology Plus, our theme is school uniforms. Our main guest, university professor Mami Bamba, explains what these outfits can tell us about Japanese society. And in Plus One, Matt Alt designs a brand-new school uniform.