Skirts Out, Polo Shirts In, and More Options for Comfort and Practicality

Skirts Out, Polo Shirts In

The National Police Agency (NPA) of Japan announced a significant change to its female police officers' uniforms. Starting in April 2023, skirts will no longer be a mandatory part of the uniform, and officers will have the option to wear pants instead. This decision comes after years of feedback from female officers who found skirts impractical for their work, especially at crime scenes.

The NPA's uniform regulations currently require female officers to wear either skirts or pants. However, the new regulations will only mention pants as an option, making them the default choice for everyday work. Skirts will still be available as an option for formal occasions and ceremonies.

This change reflects the reality that most prefectural police departments in Japan have already transitioned away from skirts. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, for example, stopped issuing skirts in 2000 and only lent them to officers upon request. They eventually stopped lending them altogether in 2019.

In addition to the change in pants regulations, the NPA is also introducing polo shirts as a new option for summer uniforms. This decision comes in response to the increasingly hot summers in Japan and the need for officers to have more breathable and comfortable clothing options. Police departments across the country have been requesting the option to wear polo shirts, which are highly breathable and quick-drying.

The introduction of polo shirts will be implemented gradually, with different police departments deciding when to offer them to their officers. A trial run will begin in May in Saitama Prefecture, where officers in four stations will wear polo-shirt uniforms.

The NPA is also taking other measures to help officers cope with the summer heat. These include introducing mesh-topped caps for uniforms, allowing officers to remove their headwear at police boxes, and not requiring them to wear ties with their uniforms.

These changes reflect a growing awareness of the need for practical and comfortable uniforms for police officers, especially in the face of increasingly hot summers. By offering more options and allowing officers to choose what they wear, the NPA hopes to improve the working conditions for its officers and ensure they can perform their duties effectively.