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How Realistic Are the Police Uniforms in “Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway”? A Manufacturer Reveals the Secrets Behind the Uniforms
The movie “Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway,” which has grossed over 11.2 billion yen at the box office, features a host of police uniforms. This is especially true since the story centers around Chihaya Hagiwara, a motorcycle officer with the Kanagawa Prefectural Police.
While we often see police uniforms, it's rare to get an in-depth look at them. How are the uniforms worn by the characters in the movie actually made, and what special features do they have?
We sat down with Kuramochi from Shinyo Co., Ltd., a company that produces uniforms for many government agencies and manufactures police uniforms across Japan, to get the scoop on what goes on behind the scenes.
Police Uniforms Are Made Under Strict Security
First off, could you tell us how police uniforms are made?
To start, the design and materials for police uniforms are all stipulated by law. The current uniforms are based on legislation enacted in 1994.On that basis, prefectures are allowed to make minor modifications. For instance, the law requires police uniform jackets to be made of fire-resistant wool, but in hotter climates where pure wool would be impractical, they are manufactured with a polyester blend.
Is manufacturing handled on a per-prefecture basis?
That's correct. While there are several types of police uniforms, for the standard issue, the process starts with an order from a prefecture. We then create a sample. Once approved, we deliver the order within 3-4 months. A full set is then "loaned" to every new recruit.The cost varies by prefecture, but it's not prohibitively expensive. A jacket is typically around 25,000 yen, and trousers are about 15,000 yen.
So "loaned" means the uniforms aren't permanently issued to the officers?
Exactly. The uniforms are all loaned to officers and must be returned when they leave the force. The number of items issued is also recorded. Recently, there's been development on police uniforms with embedded IC chips to prevent them from getting into the wrong hands.Wow, that's incredibly strict management.
If they were to get out, there's a high risk they could be used in criminal activities, so security is extremely tight.We as manufacturers are also under strict controls. If we don't meet security criteria—like ensuring our factories are completely secure or that we can deliver using specified methods—we aren't even allowed to produce police uniforms.
The management of the emblems worn on the shoulder is particularly strict. It’s illegal to attach these emblems to anything other than official police uniforms, meaning they can't be used on private security outfits or even on costumes for TV shows. They must be kept in a safe at all times and are tightly controlled from production to delivery.
Furthermore, these emblems vary by prefecture, with each design incorporating local symbols.
Besides the emblems, are there any other unique features of police uniforms you can tell us about?
In terms of visual differences, police uniform shirts have a vertical seam below the pocket. This is a tailoring detail not often seen on other garments, so it’s one way we can spot a fake.Functionally, unlike civilians, police officers can carry firearms. Their uniforms have a special pass-through pocket called a "kantsuko," which allows them to quickly draw their handgun even while wearing a jacket.
Other features include a strap inside the pocket to prevent losing their police notebook, and a water-repellent finish to prevent blood from sticking to the fabric at a crime scene. Many different clever designs are incorporated.
Chihaya Hagiwara's Uniform Is a Faithful Recreation of a Motorcycle Officer's Gear
Now let's talk about the police uniforms in “Detective Conan.” First up is the uniform of Chihaya Hagiwara, the main character in the movie “Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway.”
The uniform Chihaya wears is called "joshahuku," or riding wear. It's a special uniform designed for police officers who ride motorcycles and drive patrol cars.
It's kitted out with unique features you won't find on other uniforms, like thick padding to protect from falls and straps on the pants that hook onto riding boots.
Are there any differences between Chihaya’s uniform in the series and a real-life one?
I'd say the look is very accurately reproduced. If I had to pinpoint one difference, it would be the white decorative cord on her right shoulder. That's usually reserved for formal ceremonies and not something you'd see on a daily basis.
Also, when real officers are on patrol, they're required to wear a vest called a "taijin bogofuku," which is a stab-resistant vest with a protective plate inside. If she wore that over her uniform, she'd look even more like a real-life motorcycle cop.
Chihaya is often seen in a turtleneck. Do real officers wear those too?
With a standard police uniform, you're required to wear a dress shirt underneath, but for riding wear, officers provide their own inner layers. So, you'll definitely find some real officers who wear turtlenecks, and others who might wear a scarf to cover their neck.
Chihaya carries a lot of gear on her belt.
That's called a "taikaku," and it's a utility belt. When heading to a scene, officers use it to carry their gear instead of a bag, keeping their hands free. It holds items like a baton, a handcuff case, and a pistol—the same gear Chihaya has.Chihaya’s uniform has an insignia on the chest, showing she’s an Assistant Inspector.
The rank insignia indicates an officer's specialty and rank. It's mandatory to wear it on the chest of every uniform, and it's replaced whenever an officer gets a promotion.The Future Is All About Mobility and Heat-Resistant Police Uniforms
Next up is Chihaya’s younger brother, Kenji Hagiwara of the bomb disposal squad.
He’s wearing what's called "shutsudofuku," or mobilization wear. This is the uniform for special units like the riot police. It's what they wear when storming the scene of a serious crime, like a hostage situation. The design has a long history and has remained largely unchanged for years.
In “Detective Conan,” we see characters like Kenji Hagiwara in uniform, while others, like Jugo Yokomizo, wear suits. How do real-life officers decide what to wear?
There’s a rule that officers must wear their uniform when on patrol or at a crime scene, and they follow that regulation.
However, they aren't required to wear a uniform while inside the station, which is why you'll see more people in suits at police headquarters.
“Detective Conan” also features female traffic officers like Yumi Miyamoto and Naeko Miike, who wear skirts. Are the women's uniforms different from the men's?
We don't really change the materials or construction for men's and women's uniforms. The only distinction is the "maetate," the front placket, where the button placement differs by gender due to custom.
Skirt uniforms have been almost entirely phased out. In the past, job roles for police officers differed by gender, but now, since both men and women head out to the field, practical slacks that are easy to move in have become the standard.
What about the uniform for Toru Amuro (Rei Furuya) of the Public Security Bureau?
Public Security Bureau officers typically don't wear uniforms. Their identities must be kept secret, not just from the public but even within the police force, so they generally operate in suits. While they are issued a uniform at the start of their career, they likely never have a chance to wear it once they are assigned to Public Security.It's clear that the frequency of wearing a uniform varies depending on the department, whether it's the Riot Police, Traffic Division, or Public Security Bureau. How do officers in the field take care of their uniforms?
Until recently, new uniforms were issued to everyone every three years. Now, each officer receives a personal budget, allowing them to decide what they need to replace, like thinking, "I'll get a new dress shirt this year."From what we see in the field, officers working at koban (police boxes) experience the most wear and tear on their uniforms, which makes sense since they wear them daily.
What does the future hold for police uniforms?
A major focus lately has been on dealing with extreme heat. Since last year, a polo-shirt-style uniform, cooler than the traditional dress shirt, has been introduced and is expected to become more common in the field.Furthermore, a more functional uniform called katsudofuku (activity wear), designed for better mobility than the standard uniform, is gaining traction. It's a blouson-style jacket with an elastic band at the back of the hem. The fact that you don't need to wear a tie with it has also contributed to it becoming more prevalent than the traditional uniform among officers.
Finally, do you have a message for our readers?
I feel the uniforms depicted in "Detective Conan" are recreated with incredible attention to detail. Everything from the belts and rank insignias the characters wear to the unique emblems for each prefecture has its own meaning and purpose. I encourage everyone to pay close attention to these details as you enjoy the series.PROFILE
Yutaka Kuramochi
For 24 years at Shinyo Co., Ltd., he has been involved with police officer uniforms across Japan. He provides comprehensive support for government agency clients, from planning to delivery, for products made with high-tech, high-performance materials. His favorite character in Conan is Kaito Kid.
Official Website: https://www.shinyo-kk.co.jp/index.html
Text by Maishiro
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