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Tokyo school ramps up security over Armani uniforms on first day

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Uniforms are overpriced everywhere, so 80,000 for people living in Ginza is no big deal.

Following the controversy, the education ministry issued a notice to education boards nationwide in March requiring that school uniform and other study material costs not put parents under undue financial pressure. The memo also required that any proposed change must face a thorough consultation process.

In other words they will review proposed changes, but the existing overpriced garbage made with cheap materials will continue to be shoved down our throats.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

So, now on top of FORCING the families to pay for Armani uniforms so the principal can get kickbacks, they have put the children's lives in potential danger?

To be fair, the main fault is this part is clearly with the grabbers.

The school opened up the idea of a change of "optional" uniform last year,

Why can't we just NOT have uniforms...

And you know what the worst thing is? If the photo above is any indication, that uniform doesn't even look all that good. I have to pay 80,000 yen for that?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Those backpacks are really strong. Stronger than cockroaches. They will outlive Armageddon.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Stylish! I like it.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

It’s clearly an excellent school with excellent uniforms. The photo shows two teachers joyfully welcoming the well dressed cute young Japanese pupils to school.

It is so wonderful beautiful awesome and hopeful to see such passion and grace associated with education.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Why are these randoseru costing 50,000 Yen? I'm finding them on Amazon for $100 US.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

This whole concept is obscene. School uniforms DO NOT stop bullying but encourages subdivisions anyway. If you make your kid go to a school like this to become an automaton in life then you do not love your kid. That's my observation of life and I'm sticking to it.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

80,000 yen for a uniform including a hat and a bag, what's all the fuss about? We regularly see backpacks like the ones in the photo for 50,000 and 60,000 yen in japanese department stores so assume that this is the norm, and according to our japanese friends it is. I assume it is just because it is Armani that everyone is making such a fuss

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

oooooooh myy goooooooood @bill wright

1 ( +2 / -1 )

At the rate my children outgrow their clothing, they're lucky I don't just clothe them in potato sacks. There's no way is drop ¥80,000 for a single-use garment that won't fit in a few months.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Bill Wright

Do you think the 8,000 + comments were from foreigners or Japanese? Do you think it was foreigners or Japanese doing the harassing and grabbing?

A local education board received some 8,000 comments about the uniforms, and some students have been subject to harassment including people even grabbing at their clothes, according to the Chuo Ward office in Tokyo.

Do you think the police are there to protect the students from foreigner or Japanese?

The school posted security guards along streets around the school and closed the road in front, while local police also beefed their presence in the area.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

gogogo: What are they on about the bag alone costs 50,000 yen no matter what school you go to.

That's true but parents need only purchase one bag and it'll last until the kid is in middle school. Whereas with a uniform, a purchase of two, at least would be required per year, or per growth spurt.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

This school is in Ginza. I doubt the parents have to worry about money. I would be more concerned about the lessons at that school.

I know that Ginza is famous for luxury brand shops but is cost of living expensive there too? I remembered being invited to an izakaya in Ginza expecting the worst but actually it was quite reasonable. When thinking of where rich people live in Tokyo, I think of Denenchofu and Roppongi Hills.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Reading all these comments just amazed me of how little westerners understand Japanese Culture. It’s not something you can read in books or having never lived inside Japan amount the popular for a period of time — understand. Discipline, Courtesy , honesty, and Respect for other “are not” just “buss words” they’re Indicative of their daily lifestyle — family, education, jobs, debts, and honoring commitments are everything to them from adolescence to old age. There’s no other country in the AsIan realm that practices all of these aptitudes like the Japanese. School uniforms are for the most part identical with the exception of individual school identifying marking. I seriously doubt ridicule is a real worry by the students or cost of the uniforms giving them a “swell head”.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

^ You would probably too young to appreciate, notice or even care about that. :)

Back to topic, I was wearing uniforms since kindergarten. Did I care or appreciate that? NO.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

When I walked to school in 1946 I had shoes, corduroy pants and a tee shirt, and carried my lunch in a paper sack. Free lunch and breakfast idea far off in the future. Some boys didn't wear shoes until cold weather or on school picture day. The idea of a uniform would have been ludicrous and would have produced a lot of laughter.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Who cares. It’s in Ginza I’m sure most people there can afford it.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

"The Taimei Elementary School uniforms, priced at over 80,000 yen each"

I've said this before I don't know how many times, and I'll say it again -

Something is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

I wonder what the cost of lunch is there?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Once in a while a crazy decision is made in japan, perhaps due to the nod your head mentality.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

So I take it the school will also be serving filet mignon and lobster for lunch:-/

0 ( +3 / -3 )

ozziedesigner Today  07:40 pm JST

The cartel that sell those backpacks are thieves pure and simple ! How can an el-cheapo vinyl rucksack cost 50,000 Yen ?? My J wife proudly informed me of how much they were. I bet she wished she hadn't after the expletive laden response she received from me.

What Christina said.

And as people have pointed out, 50,000 yen is pretty standard. Middling, even, for a good "randoseru". I also think that if people check the uniform prices for many private schools, they will discover that it's around the level discussed here.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

To "ozziedesigner": The rucksack is very well-made and will last the six years of elementary school despite rough treatment on the walk to and from school. It is a fine example of craftsmanship in this country. I have heard that grandparents are traditionally asked to buy these, and also that cheaper imitation one are to be found somewhere. As for the uniforms in this controversy, they seem to have stirred only a little more attention than the black Prussian uniforms used in nearly every public jr. high many years ago. The issue of hair color too has gone in a circle from all black (even if requiring dyes) to any wild hue, to black again. It seems one is to learn something I do not get about going with the flow of those round about as well as test-worthy topics.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

This isn’t even a controversy, it’s a joke.

And it’s even sadder that these kidz need security from weirdos because of all the attention it’s got.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

The cartel that sell those backpacks are thieves pure and simple ! How can an el-cheapo vinyl rucksack cost 50,000 Yen ?? My J wife proudly informed me of how much they were. I bet she wished she hadn't after the expletive laden response she received from me.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Those bags are worth more than the uniforms.

So, where's Abe spouting his 'free education' BS? How can education be free when the costs of uniforms, sports clothes and equipment runs into thousands of dollars for public school? I think I've figured it out after nearly two decades of teaching in Japanese schools. It doesn't matter what you learn at school as long as you have the image and can memorise enough 'spoon-fed' garbage to get at least 30% on a test to pass. Then, after you graduate high school you go to a university for more spoon-fed garbage to pass another test at 30%. Then, your final step is to buy a black suit, get indoctrinated into a company with your 'empty-shell' education and spend the next 20 years being told what to do for 16 hours a day. Armani uniforms are the least of Japan's educational worries.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Yep ¥50,000 even from Costco. It's all part of the conditioning to be the same. They have upped the Ante by raising the bar too high. Purposely creating the facade of elite in a "Public School". How on earth is this a positive move from a sociological perspective. It's now putting pressure on other "public schools" to match or be seen as lower in status. Forgot education it's about fashion now.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

What are they on about the bag alone costs 50,000 yen no matter what school you goto

0 ( +1 / -1 )

classy uniform

0 ( +3 / -3 )

People in japan are known to be disciplined and well manner . I am amazed at both things : armani and harrassment . I think they just want to touch the luxurious brand cloth and feel it . They (people) didn't mean to be harrass the cute children

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

I actually thought the whole idea had been scrapped? Silly me. I know it's a "Ginza" school so money is no problem. What it does show is the gap between those that have and the rest of us is now a vast void....id like to see these people but the clouds above me are blocking the view.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

If it's only for few higher-class family in this social polarization increased day by day in Abenomics phenomena, and they want to wear their children the maker Armani or whatever, I don't really care. It's a costly uniform where Armani itself is grading down reputation of one the best world brand maker. No surprise that 's rubbish!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

An 80,000円 uniform and 980円 sneakers, so what will it be next year, a 30万円 pair of  Gucci shoes? As for the randoseru, I always bought and will continue to buy my grand-kids the model from the year before for around 10,000 to 12,000円 on the internet, no one even notices, and even if they did, I don't think they would care.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

When I first saw the foto I fleetingly thought, "Why are the kids being greeted by Armani staff?"

Me too. My Elementary School teachers didn’t look like that. Some of the sadists who taught me couldn’t be trusted with heels like that.

Then again, I can’t imagine the teachers wearing tracksuits while the kids are swanning round in Armani.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

People here talking about parent's affordability. This school is in Ginza. I doubt the parents have to worry about money. I would be more concerned about the lessons at that school. Especially when they start teaching kids about financial things.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

browny - I've called 5 meetings next week for an hour and a half each to discuss the subject. Whoever is the oldest will make the decision, which will be not to change the original decision. If any foreigners attend we will nod our heads to what they suggest then just end up doing what we wanted to anyway.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Yep Bintaro - Pubic to the bone.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Can anyone confirm that this is a state school and not private?

Public school according to the wikipedia page.

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%B8%AD%E5%A4%AE%E5%8C%BA%E7%AB%8B%E6%B3%B0%E6%98%8E%E5%B0%8F%E5%AD%A6%E6%A0%A1

3 ( +4 / -1 )

When I first saw the foto I fleetingly thought, "Why are the kids being greeted by Armani staff?"

But in fact they are the teachers. Well good luck to them scoring a "posh" school.

But I can't help wondering if being transferred to Ginza Primary, entails a good dollop of subjective decision making.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Bintaro - wow. So there we have it, Giorgio's Y80,000 plus the proverbial rucksack.

Can anyone confirm that this is a state school and not private?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

@Reckless, TigersTokyoDome

Here :

http://www.asahi.com/and_w/articles/photo/AS20180309003175.html

It's 80,000 yens for the uniform including a "second bag" at 4,400 yen. So not the same thing.

So, with what you say, it would an 80,000 yens uniform plus a 30-50,000 yens bag, so at least over 100,000 yens.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

simon g, thanks for the updated information. But it doesnt explain why the school still agreed for Armani to provide the optional uniform, one submission or not. Being a school they should have told Giorgio to do one and remained without any submissions (I bet the principal didnt approach the local shoutengai suppliers). Its not an outrage wagon, its a "parents affordability/ educate children about non-consumerism" wagon.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Both?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Uniformed or uninformed?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

It's not compulsory. The school opened up the idea of a change of "optional" uniform last year, made it public and informed the parents while inviting interested parties to provide samples and estimates. Only one company in all of Japan submitted designs, that was Armani. If it had been Kenzo or Michiko or such there would be no issue as Japanese is good and foreign is bad in the eyes of many.The name value also puts a few noses out of joint. Too many uninformed people jumping on the outrage wagon.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Jonathan you might not be accustomed to how the society is structured in Japan, but if you are even considering being a minority you will be shunned, especially by self-entitled little pieces of children thinking their expensive uniform makes them anyhow better than someone without it. No one will openly tell you it is so, but if you observe those animals in their natural habitat without them knowing, you will see their true nature. Which is if school "encourages" it, it means the same as "you filth better not come without overpriced by capitalists pieces of clothes".

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

As Reckless says, the companies that produce those rucksacks are taking the proverbial. Grandparents bought my daughters and as Reckless already stated, it cost around Y50,000. Although I kind of disagree with Reckless' high scores for the sensei..

3 ( +4 / -1 )

So, now on top of FORCING the families to pay for Armani uniforms so the principal can get kickbacks, they have put the children's lives in potential danger?

2 ( +8 / -6 )

It's hardly a uniform if students are "under no obligation to wear". I don't think I would have wanted to be in a minority in my school attire: that would have been just asking for it..

Particularly in Japan. You would be singled out by the children and the teachers.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

It's hardly a uniform if students are "under no obligation to wear". I don't think I would have wanted to be in a minority in my school attire: that would have been just asking for it..

3 ( +5 / -2 )

What's the reason they selected this uniform ?

I don't think a kid that age can "appreciate" the value of such a pricey piece of clothing.

It's certainly to assure only "good families" (rich...) put their kids in this school.

The whole story is ridiculous.

13 ( +15 / -2 )

When this news initally broke I assume that this school must be private. However my better half informs me that its actually a state school. If that is true then why havent the local education authority put a stop to this absolute nonsense? Is my missus in the wrong? If shes correct then its crazy that any local education authority would allow this to pass.

18 ( +21 / -3 )

Pseudo-elitist schools will only breed dysfunctional human beings, like that we hear beating their subordinates and kicking infants around because they don't do what is asked of them. But since such "education" is encouraged on state level, Japan got to brace for the impact...

-6 ( +11 / -17 )

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