top of page
Juju Kurihara

Are Japanese School Rules Too Strict?

I have come across to an article about a Japanese school system which was written by a German born author (Link below, the first one). The title “'Sude de benki soji’ ga bidan ni naru Nihon no okashisa” (Strangeness of Japan where “cleaning toilet with bare hands” becomes a great episode) has caught my attention. It reminded me a particular episode of a famous TV drama in the 90s which was known for precisely toilet cleaning.

Cleaning the classrooms is a very common activity at Japanese schools. I also did it during my school life from the primary school to the high school. We cleaned not only our class room but also the entrance hall of the school where we kept our shoes, corridors, staircases and the toilets. As I was doing it since small, I didn’t really think why I was doing it. I don’t think any teachers explained us either. I’m sure it has given us some benefit in many ways but I agree that small children scrub the toilet floor on their hands and knees can be unnecessary.

The author of the article expresses her feeling of creepiness over the news about the school pupils clean the toilets as a beautiful story. Her concern is the hygiene. The children could get infections by cleaning the toilet, especially with the bare hands while there are professional toilet cleaning companies exist in the outside society. What surprises the author more is the belief behind it. Many schools think that cleaning toilet cleans the spirits or even “clean the country”. She suggests the tendency of right wing mentality.

This article triggered the memories of my school life. Almost all Japanese schools have uniforms and there are lots of rules to follow, such as no accessories including hair pins, no comic books, no music devices, no snacks, no coloured socks, no beard, no long hair for boys, no modifications on the school bag, no other bags apart from the school bags and so on. There were many rules during the school life. It was even funny to see the teachers get really heated up catching us possessing a chewing gams or coloured hair bands.

In my high school, I remember one or two teachers would wait for us at the entrance gate with rulers to check the length of the skirts. We had to bring up our jumpers or shirts to show them if the top of the skirts were tucked in to make the skirts shorter. In some countries, this could be considered as a sexual harassment.

Every month or so we had a hair colour check. The teachers checked our hair to see if the colour of the roots and the end were the same. We were not allowed to dye the hair in brown (blonde is out of the question). One classmate was taken to a separate room and had her hair dyed in pitch black after she had been warned a few times not to dye it in brown. The rumour said the teachers dyed her hair with a shoe ink and we were really shocked. The girl came back crying.

I had relatively brownish hair especially when I was smaller. Fortunately I was in a swimming club and everyone knew the chlorine in the water can bleach the hair and I had never had problems with the school. While school kids in the U.S. or in Europe go to school with all the accessories and different hair colours, Japanese teachers ARE (because this custom is continuing) preoccupied by slightly dyed brown hair.

I went to a girls’ school but I’ve heard that in boys school, there are rules like, no long hair, no hair band, no buns, no beard, no two different length of the hair (see the photo), no hair wax or gel and so on. Many public secondary schools even oblige the boys to have hair no more than 3cm. Are we still living in wartime?


An article laughs about this two different length of the hair showing a photo of the Emperor.

These School rules are still applied in the current education in Japan in the 21st Century. Some are even worse. The schools oblige the students to wear white underwear. I personally think they’ve gone too far. Now I think that all these extreme fashion may come from this oppression. This could be a reaction to these strict school rules.

Are any of you have an experience studying at a Japanese school? I like to hear your impression about it.

References:


17 comments

17 Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet

Add a rating
Erina Jones
Erina Jones
10 hours ago

The debate on whether Japanese school rules are too strict is fascinating and highlights the balance between discipline and creativity in education. While strict rules can foster a focused learning environment, they may also stifle individuality and critical thinking.

In contrast, tools like an algebra calculator,https://myassignmenthelp.expert/algebra-calculator.html can empower students by providing support in complex subjects, encouraging them to explore and understand concepts more deeply. Ultimately, a well-rounded approach that combines discipline with resources for learning can lead to more engaged and successful students.

Other Resources:

https://ayema.ng/posts/53147

https://communicators.ncsu.edu/blog/top-features-of-an-algebra-calculator-every-student-should-know

Like

Eliza stone
Eliza stone
5 days ago

A baby shower thank you card is the perfect finishing touch to show appreciation for everyone who celebrated your little one.

Like

anoopwrapcity
5 days ago

We appreciate you selecting Wrapcity for your tinting needs ! We value your company and can't wait to improve your area with our superior offerings.


Like

Angelika Wartina
Angelika Wartina
5 days ago
Rated 1 out of 5 stars.

Balancing coursework with numerous assessments can be challenging for students, especially when deadlines are tight and expectations are high. This is where online assessment help becomes an invaluable resource. These services provide students with expert assistance to tackle various assessments, from quizzes to case studies, ensuring that they meet academic requirements while delivering high-quality work.

With online assessment help, students have access to experienced professionals who offer tailored support and detailed guidance in understanding complex topics. This can greatly enhance their learning experience and help them perform better in their studies. Additionally, the convenience of accessing these services online means students can get the help they need from anywhere, at any time.

 

Read more suggested blogs...

 

https://lebanonhub.app/blogs/32547/Mastering-Your-Finances-Top-Tips-for-Effective-Finance-Assignment-Help

https://www.cesarsanchez.com.co/post/woocommerce-definici%C3%B3n-ventajas-y-caracter%C3%ADsticas?commentId=e9fbf8b5-2e77-49a9-8cba-afa2ef4bf0f6

https://www.atii.com.au/forum/main/comment/6fa85fa9-41f0-4ba9-853b-c06476eb24a4?postId=60df189f8e07ff0016d9c144

Like

Ross William
Ross William
6 days ago

I was really struggling to balance all my coursework, and the deadlines were piling up. I finally decided to search for a service to do my assignment for me, and it was honestly one of the best choices I made. The entire process was smooth, from placing the order to receiving a well-written and thoroughly researched paper. It took a huge load off my shoulders, and the results were fantastic. If you're stuck or need a break from the pressure, having someone do your assignment for you is a real lifesaver. I’d highly recommend trying it out.

Like
Guest
3 days ago
Replying to

I was really stressed with my coursework and decided to try assignment help services in Malaysia. It was a great choice! The whole process was simple, and I got a well-written paper that eased my workload. If you’re feeling overwhelmed. I highly suggest trying these services. They really help reduce the stress

Like
bottom of page