Police in Japan will stop issuing uniform skirts to female officers from April, nearly 50 years after they were first introduced.



Uniform design, color and materials are stipulated in regulations to ensure that police officers can be easily identified. Female officers are currently required to wear a shirt, jacket and either a skirt or trousers. At local police departments, officers can decide for themselves whether to wear skirts or trousers.



The National Police Agency said police in 26 of the country's 47 prefectures have already stopped issuing uniform skirts, based on feedback that skirts hinder mobility during field duties.



The agency decided to stop issuing skirts nationwide to unify uniform standards.



Police uniforms for female officers, which included skirts and pants, were first specified in regulations in 1976.