The National Police Agency (NPA) of Japan announced on March 21, 2025, a groundbreaking update to the police uniform regulations that will introduce polo shirt-type summer uniforms and abolish skirts for female police officers across the nation. This change marks the first significant update to police uniforms since they were last revamped in 1994. The new uniform policy is set to take effect in phases beginning April 1, 2025.
The decision to implement polo shirts arises amid increasing concerns about public safety officers' comfort and health during the hot summer months. "This is the first uniform change in 31 years, focusing on our commitment to ensuring the health of officers working in extreme heat conditions," said a spokesperson from the NPA.
The new winter uniforms will retain a light blue color, similar to the existing summer shirts. However, the revamped polo shirts will incorporate a greater proportion of polyester fabric to enhance breathability and facilitate quicker drying. Officers can expect improved stretchability in these garments, allowing for easier wear. The polo shirts will come in both long-sleeved and short-sleeved versions while maintaining the familiar collar and pocket sizes found in current designs.
In tandem with the polo shirt introduction, the agency also announced that skirts for female officers would be abolished as part of an effort to unify the police uniform across genders. The NPA highlighted that this decision was made, in part, because there have been few instances of female officers wearing skirts in the field, especially given the practical needs for ease of movement in their daily duties.
Statistics suggest that as of April 2024, the workforce of Japan's police includes about 260,000 officers, with female officers accounting for approximately 10% of the total. Historical context reveals that when female police uniforms were standardized in 1976, skirts were the only summer option available. Since then, summer slacks were introduced in 1994, and now the NPA is standardizing the dress code to reflect current practices and needs.
For those officers who still wear skirts, formal attire for ceremonies will remain available. The agency is evolving with the times as it becomes increasingly evident that practicality takes precedence in law enforcement. In fact, many police departments across the country, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, stopped providing skirts as early as 2000, transitioning to a system where skirts were only available as borrowable items.
Amid these uniform changes, the NPA plans to enhance other aspects of the officers' attire as well. For example, the upper part of the patrol caps, commonly worn by officers on duty, will be transformed using mesh material to improve ventilation. Furthermore, the insignia on these caps will shift from metal to durable and washable materials like silicone.
The new uniform guidelines will also permit officers to remove their hats while on patrol or indoors at their respective stations, which reflects a significant cultural shift in the dress code for law enforcement as they adapt to the realities of their work environment.
The transition period will begin with a trial run, where 100 polo shirts will be introduced at the Saitama Prefectural Police for further evaluation starting in May 2025. Based on the trial's results, the NPA will make adjustments and gradually roll out this innovative approach across all prefectures based on their respective budgets.
The move for a more inclusive and practical police uniform policy across Japan not only responds to modern demands but also aligns with broader societal values about gender equality in workplace attire. This initiative acknowledges the evolving roles of female police officers and aims to provide them with uniforms that are functional and suited for their duties.
In closely monitoring temperature fluctuations from recent years, the NPA has shown that it is committed to ensuring the frontline officers' comfort while prioritizing their health and well-being. With the introduction of effective summer uniforms, they hope to enhance overall working conditions in line with contemporary policing demands.
As police forces seek to adapt to changing climates and an evolving public safety landscape, these upcoming shifts set an important precedent for other organizations in Japan to prioritize worker welfare through design and functionality in uniforms.
