Parents and campaigners have called on education and health authorities to end the practice of requiring children to strip off for school health checks

Parents and campaigners have called on education and health authorities to end the practice of requiring children to strip off for school health checks

“My chest was completely exposed and I felt embarrassed,” writes a Japanese girl after undergoing an annual health checkup at her middle school. Another says: “Before the exam our teacher told us we would have to lift up our tops and bra … I didn’t want to do it but I couldn’t say no.”

The testimony from two 13-year-olds, seen by the Guardian, is typical of the discomfort – and in some cases trauma – felt by children attending schools in Japan that can require boys and girls as young as five – and as old as 18 – to strip to the waist during health examinations.

It has sparked anger among parents and campaigners who have called on education and health authorities to end the practice before the new academic year begins in April.

  • DrFuggles@feddit.orgEnglish
    65·
    12 days ago

    There cannot be any medical reason for doing this, surely. Even more interesting that the medical profession hasn’t changed guidelines by themselves by now.

    • andres@lemm.eeEnglish
      22·
      11 days ago

      In my experience, this is because they conduct yearly x-ray examinations to detect tuberculosis and other lung diseases. Shirts and bras interfere with the image, so they ask students to bring a plain shirt to wear during the examination. However, if there’s no other option, they may ask them to do the examination bare-chested. In my case, there was gender separation (not only in location but also in the time frame), but I can’t say the same for all schools or age groups. Japanese schools are known for having students change into sports clothing in the classroom without gender separation up to 3rd or 4th grade, so I wouldn’t be surprised if there are schools that don’t separate genders for medical examinations.

    • pycorax@lemmy.worldEnglish
      5·
      12 days ago

      Not sure if it’s just a Japanese thing but something similar is done here in Singapore. I’m not sure if it is the case for girls but for guys they did ask us to take off our pants.

  • InvertedParallax@lemm.eeEnglish
    15·
    12 days ago

    I like how anime 100% missed this, they had the trials of students attacked and seduced by demons and ghosts and aliens, this part they completely missed.

    edit: Or I am an anime snob, either way.

    • DarkSirrush@lemmy.caEnglish
      23·
      12 days ago

      Nah, a lot of school life manga cover this, at least briefly, especially with female authors. It tends to be kept brief or referenced off screen however, to avoid needing to censor or change the rating.