On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Do students in Saga Prefecture still have to wear white underwear?
Topics Discussed
- The decision by Saga Prefecture's Board of Education to get rid of an existing rule in some of its schools that made it mandatory for students to wear white underwear under their school uniforms
- The possibility that some school rules in Japan are human rights violations
- Whether ten pikachus count as one mascot or ten
- Japanese school rules regarding student hair color and hairstyles
- How it seems that there is an increasing push for public schools in Japan to reevaluate their rules and eliminate unnecessary/pointless ones
- And much more!
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Sources, Links, Videos, Etc.
Here is an English-language article about the Saga Prefecture Board of Education's decision to eliminate rules such as the infamous white underwear one.
Here are some Japanese-language articles about the Saga Prefecture Board of Education's decision to reform its school rules.
If you haven't listened to our previous episodes about Japanese school rules and regulations (a.k.a. kōsoku), then check them out via the links below.
To pick up a t-shirt and support the show, check out KimotoDesigns.com
Japanese Vocabulary List
Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here's some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC.
- Kōsoku
- 校則 【こうそく】 (n) school regulations
- Jinken shingai
- 人権侵害 【じんけんしんがい】 (n) human rights violation
- Kurubushi
- 踝 【くるぶし】 (n) (uk) {anat} ankle; malleolus; ankle bone
- Unaji
- 項 【うなじ】 (n) (uk) nape (of the neck); nucha
We Want Your Questions
Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com.
Special Thanks
Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)
Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.
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Full Show Notes
