Home / Education / Japan Schools: Bra Ban Sparks Student Privacy Debate
Japan Schools: Bra Ban Sparks Student Privacy Debate
4 Jul
Summary
- Some Japanese schools require students to remove bras for health checkups.
- National guidelines allow students to remain clothed but lack specifics.
- Parents and experts call for more sensitive approaches to student privacy.
A growing number of parents in Japan are questioning the practice of requiring students to remove underwear during annual school health examinations. While a notice issued in January 2024 by the Ministry of Education aimed to enhance student privacy and emotional well-being by suggesting students remain clothed in gym uniforms or underwear, it provided no detailed guidelines, leading to inconsistent implementation across schools.
Practices vary significantly, with some schools insisting on students being completely unclothed for examinations, particularly for scoliosis screening and heart auscultation. This often involves female teachers lifting students' gym shirts while male physicians conduct the checkups. Despite the 2024 notice, a 2025 survey indicated that while 87.4% of schools report keeping students clothed, a significant portion still has specific requirements that can involve undressing.
Education officials state that decisions on clothing requirements are made collaboratively between school physicians and schools, aiming not to interfere with the medical checkup. However, this has led to situations where students are instructed to remove underwear even with thin bands, prompting some families to seek private medical checkups. Experts emphasize the need for schools to acknowledge the sensitivity of these examinations for students, advocating for a balanced approach that respects privacy while ensuring necessary medical assessments are conducted considerately.
