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.

  • @[email protected]
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    -52 months ago

    I’m not saying I want to watch it, I don’t, I’m saying considering the plot points it has, this is a surprising omission.

    • @Nurse_Robot
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      2 months ago

      The article is about 13 year olds having their chests examined.

      Edit: sorry, about children as young as 5. Again, don’t be fucking weird and say you’re surprised there isn’t porn about it.

      • @[email protected]
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        72 months ago

        What is wrong with you? There’s no need to sexualise children like that, tone it down.

        The poster made a fair point, this is indeed a cultural phenomena not reflected by Japanese media. Which is surprising because they typically don’t pull punches.

        • @Nurse_Robot
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          -42 months ago

          The point of the article is outrage over children being forced to expose themselves. Pretty creepy of you to defend the practice

          • @[email protected]
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            102 months ago

            Media can discuss or examine an issue without directly showing it. That commenter wasn’t defending it or saying they want to see it.

            There are Western shows that discuss drug use and rape without having to show it on screen.

            • @Nurse_Robot
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              -32 months ago

              I’m literally reinforcing what the article is saying. Pretty spineless of you to call me names and then immediately block me.

      • @[email protected]
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        2 months ago

        I’m NOT surprised because I want to see it, I’m surprised because they cover literally everything else.

        And note I said Anime, not Manga,. Anime isn’t porn, Manga often is.

        • @Nurse_Robot
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          -52 months ago

          What a weird hill to die on