School can be tough even though society calls you “normal.” For minorities or even those with special interests, it can quickly become hell. A girl finds out the hard way as she and her parents try to balance her modeling life with her school’s strict style rules.
Draconian regulations
Japanese schools have been increasingly criticized in recent years for regulations deemed harsh by parents. One of the most bizarre examples is the revelation that some schools forbid students from wearing underwear during gym class. In one case, school officials told a parent that her daughter could wear a bra… if an employee confirmed that her breasts had “developed enough”.
Many other schools have strict regulations regarding hair color. This has caused many students from diverse ethnic backgrounds to suffer from discrimination. Book reviewer Nishida Ai, whose parents are Japanese and American, has spoken of the shock and sense of discrimination she felt when her school yearbook died of her dark brown hair.
While hair color regulations are controversial, many teachers and officials continue to defend them. The argument is that consistency of appearance—through school uniforms and other dress code regulations—helps foster a sense of equality. School uniforms, for example, can take fashion out of the equation and bridge income disparities between families.
His own class, his own teacher
This brings us to the unique case of Juna, a 13-year-old model. Juna dresses in gyaru fashion, a rebellious style that had its heyday in the 1990s and is characterized by tanned faces, bright makeup, and colorful hair.
Although far from its earlier popularity, gyaru still survives as a fashionable subculture. Magazines such as egg and Ane Ageha help keep the culture alive.
Juna is an exclusive model for the egg. She also has a popular Instagram account with over 60,000 followers. Her schedule keeps her so busy, she tells Bunshun Online, that she often doesn’t have time to attend school in person. A recent stint at work, for example, kept her on the road for two weeks straight.[1].
Unfortunately, when Juna box going to school on his days off is not a great experience.
Juna’s school is one of many with strict rules on hair color. School officials point to her purple hair as a violation of school rules. As such, she is not allowed to take classes with her peers. Instead, she must attend a special class alone, where she receives instruction from a dedicated teacher. She can only see and interact with her classmates before and after school. And she can’t participate in any group activities, like music or the gym.
Unfortunately, it’s been like that for a while. Bunshun’s latest post follows an interview they did with her a year ago. Since then, the school has loosened the rules slightly. Juna can now enter the school grounds with her classmates and no longer needs to use a separate entrance like she did before.
Fight for change – but not an exception
Juna’s father, 30, says the family tried various workarounds to allow Juna to participate in classes under current regulations. Juna tried wearing wigs and using temporary spray color. She says the sprays were too bright and faded quickly. As for the wigs, they just made Juna stand out more.
Juna says they also tried the opposite tactic – using only a wig for her photo shoots. “With gyaru, you have to be flashy. I considered using a wig when I entered middle school, but thought it would make me stand out from other models.
Her dad says he continues to talk with the school about rule changes. However, he points out that he is against Juna being some kind of exception.
Juna says she also opposes online school. This means the family has no choice but to continue to appeal to the school to change its policies.
“The Blue Devil Has Arrived”
In the second part of Bunshun’s interview, Juna discusses how difficult it is to study in isolation. “I have to do my homework alone and there are a lot of things I don’t understand. My teacher helps me but I think it would be nicer to study with everyone.
Juna also notices how some students tease her about her hairstyle. “One of my sempais said at the entrance to the school, ‘The blue devil has arrived.
Some might say that Juna provoked her by her choice of profession. My own opinion is that Juna’s hair color is an expression of who she is. Her situation is shared by many in Japan whose hair color deviates from the “standard” black of a predominantly ethnic Japanese student.
This reality will only become more complicated over time. Schools in Japan will have to find a way to relax their regulations before this problem reaches a cultural breaking point.
What to read next
Controversy in Japanese schools with draconian hair regulations
Sources
[1] 〈小学生 ギャル ギャル ギャル 「入学 から 年 経っ 経っ て も 教室 に 入れ ない」 「の 問題 問題 遠足 辞退 辞退 辞退 辞退 辞退 辞退」 中学生 の 父親 （（（） が 学校 学校 側 の 対応 対応 に 父親 （30）） 、 、 、 、 、の対応に思う思うこと. Bunshun online
[2] 「先輩 から『 青鬼 が き た 〜 』と 髪 色 を から かわ れ て て て」 」（（（（） が 、 、 と と と から の 偏 見 見 見 見 〈〈元 小学生 ギャル の 現在 現在 周囲 の の の の の の の見〈〈小学生ギャルの現在現在 eye. Bunshun online
