Belonging to a
specific group is, in itself, a definition of being Japanese.
Wearing a common uniform is one way of conforming to a group identity.
Employees at banks wear uniforms, street workers wear the same yellow
jumpsuit, and it could be said that homemakers wear a uniform because they wear
aprons, even out and about shopping. There are school uniforms (including
shoes, backpacks, and hats) for classroom and physical education.
Preschool uniforms are artist smock-like jumpers worn over other clothes.
For more about the importance of groups in Japan, click here.
image: http://www.auntannie.com/FridayFun/DollChain/DollChainsDiagonal440.jpg
