Student Backpacks (2004-09-08)
Summer vacation is over for school kids here. I see students on the streets everywhere I go, and the amount of stuff they carry with them to school, you'd think they are going on a week-long trip. Primary school students in particular have the toughest time lumbering a heavy leather backpack on their backs. These backpacks are like the official school bags for first to sixth graders, whether they are in private or public schools.
I have seen them in stores long time ago. They are heavy and
expensive, ranging from 10000yen (US$98) to 100000yen (US$980). A
strongly-built sixth grader may find such loaded backpacks weighty,
much less a tiny skinny first grader. And besides piggybacking a
heavy pack, many kids also have to carry a water bottle bag to hold
their drinks and another tote
bag.
I think Japanese students of all ages should toss those backpacks
and use mini suitcases with wheels to carry their school
supplies. They have enough school work to burden their brains,
their bodies need not take the strain.
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