We often idealize Japanese student life thanks to the colorful stories we see in anime, but the reality in classrooms is much more gray and controlling than it seems. A recent survey conducted by the Jukusen platform among over a hundred high school students revealed widespread frustration against the outdated education system. The results showed that nearly sixty percent of students disagree with their schools’ rules, and most alarmingly, seven in ten say authorities have never given a logical justification for imposing these school rules.

Absolute control over physical appearance

Through student responses, irrational rules emerged that aim to erase any trace of individuality. Schools impose everything from the exact length and design of socks to a total ban on plucking eyebrows or using basic items like sunscreen and lip balm. To add insult to injury, scrutiny reaches extremely invasive levels by dictating the exact color of underwear teenagers must wear. Additionally, during harsh cold seasons, students suffer incomprehensible restrictions on wearing coats, sweaters, or scarves, showing that for authorities, maintaining impeccable visual uniformity is more important than students’ health or comfort.

Restrictions that cross school walls

School surveillance doesn’t end when the exit bell rings. Young people expressed deep annoyance at directives that ban stopping at stores or parks on their way home, and even limit the number of keychains allowed in their backpacks. Social isolation is also a heavy factor, as the use of smartphones is completely banned during recesses and school festivals, times when students simply want to communicate or capture memories with friends. There are even stranger cases in some schools, where students are forced to wear thick thermal tights during graduation, are required to say “thank you” at least ten times a day, or are completely banned from modern music clubs under the pretext that they are a bad influence.

Curiously, despite their non-conformity, the vast majority of young people admitted they still follow the rules out of fear of repercussions, although social pressure is making some schools begin to discreetly relax their hair and uniform inspections. Knowing that the original goal of these measures was to promote equality among students, do you think this type of strict discipline really helps to form better citizens, or simply destroys young people’s self-esteem by not letting them express themselves freely?