A police academy in Japan teaches its male officers makeup techniques

A police academy in Japan has launched innovative courses and even hired professional beauty consultants to teach male police officers the art of applying makeup, sparking a wave of humorous discussions among Chinese netizens.

In January, Fukushimaken Keisatsugakko, a police academy located in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, offered a remedial course for 60 police cadets, including several male officers close to graduation, which garnered significant attention online.

Recognizing the importance of a neat and professional appearance, particularly given that police officers frequently interact with various members of the community, the academy aimed to foster a positive impression and build trust.

“We want to remind students that as members of society and future police officers, maintaining an appropriate appearance is crucial,” Takeshi Sugiura, deputy director of the police academy, said in an interview with Nippon TV.

To ensure that the makeup course met the highest standards of professionalism, the academy enlisted the help of consultants from a renowned Japanese cosmetics brand.

These experts not only provided general guidance on makeup, but also offered personalized advice tailored specifically to the cadets.

During the course, the instructor taught students fundamental makeup techniques, such as moisturizing the skin, applying primers, and using eyebrow pencils . She also taught them basic personal care techniques, such as trimming eyebrows and combing their hair.

Interestingly, many male cadets, who were not used to applying makeup, felt challenged by the variety of cosmetics. Some were observed applying foundation to their faces in a somewhat chaotic manner, while others seemed to look around helplessly, seemingly seeking help from their fellow cadets.

Yusei Kuwabara, one of the male cadets who underwent a complete transformation after the course, commented, “I’ve never worn makeup before. I think being a police officer means being in the public eye often, so I want to make sure I present myself well before going to work.”

Traditionally, Japanese police academies have focused their training primarily on legal education and rigorous physical training. The introduction of these initiatives represents a modern upgrade to their training system, equipping future police officers with essential skills for engaging with the community in a courteous manner.

The Fukushima academy is not alone; another police academy in Yamaguchi has also implemented a similar program, even starting with the basics of teaching male cadets how to properly clean their faces.

These courses have sparked a wave of humorous comments on Chinese social media.

One netizen joked: " Now they can throw loose powder into the eyes of suspects to catch them!"

Another added: “When I read the news, I initially thought they were being taught how to camouflage themselves to catch the bad guys.”

“It may sound absurd, but isn’t it a good idea for both men and women to take the makeup course?” asked a third commenter.

On the contrary, some expressed concern: “Acquiring multiple skills is not a bad thing. We just need to make sure that it does not become another rigid criterion for performance evaluation.”

Source: South China Morning Post.