Roles of Imitation Seifuku School Uniforms in Japan: A Case Study of Students at Uniform Free Schools and the Iconic J-pop Performers of AKB48

In Japan, school uniforms have been used for roleplaying by those other than cosplayers. In order to understand this social discourse, I examine the chronological development of Japanese school uniforms, then discuss how and why imitation school uniforms have been adopted and adapted by students at uniform-free schools as well as by female J-pop performers. I argue that school uniforms are sentimentally valuable in Japan as they represent narratives of youth before entering a tough and restricted adult life. School uniforms symbolise freedom and a future full of possibilities, growth and hope. In this regard, the uniform-like costumes are attractive to both youth who wear them, such as the students and popstars, as well as the grown-ups, such as fans of popstars, as the costumes remind them that life was once good in the ‘good old days.’