Tokyo schools cut controversial rules governing hairstyles and underwear

Some high schools in Tokyo are dropping strict requirements for hair colour Photograph: Viola Kam/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock

Controversial rules on hairstyles and underwear are to be scrapped at high schools run by the Tokyo metropolitan government, after pressure from students.

Almost 200 public high schools and other educational institutions will drop five regulations, including one requiring students to have black hair, from April, the Mainichi Shimbun said, citing official sources.