The Japenese #KuToo movement has just won its first big success with Japan Airlines confirming that from next month, female flight attendants will be allowed to ditch their high heels in favour of flats or wedges. The change in policy for the famously conservative airline will accompany the rollout of a brand new flight attendant uniform that will, for the first time, also give female crew the option of wearing trousers.
The KuToo movement was started last year by actor and feminist activist Yumi Ishikawa who wants to change rules in many Japenese workplaces where it’s mandatory for female staffers to wear high heels. The hashtag is a play on the Japenese words for shoe and pain and has already achieved more than 32,000 signatories on an online petition.
Over 6,000 female flight attendants at the Japenese flag carrier will be able to choose footwear that “best fits their needs” from next month according to a statement released by the airline.
A spokesperson said the policy change was aimed at creating a “diverse working environment”.
Last July, Japan Airlines unveiled a brand new uniform collection that also included trouser options for female crew. Until now, female workers who worked as flights attendants, gate agents or customer service employees had to wear a skirt or dress.
The new uniform project was led by Japenese designer Yasutoshi Ezumi and was meant to be rolled out in time for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. While the games have now been postponed by a year, the uniform will still debut next month.
Japan Airlines says the uniform is “based on a refined and stylish design for professionals providing a safe flight experience and the highest levels of service. The key components of the current uniforms were utilized, which added to the improved functionality of the newly branded wear.”
Despite JAL’s recent attempts to promote diversity, the airline has traditionally been very conservative in its approach to gender equality. A recent study revealed that male flight attendants account for just 1% of the entire cabin crew workforce at both Japan Airlines and ANA – the two largest airlines in the country.
