Since 1871 when the Imperial instruction to make western style uniforms for the army and government officials was issued (Grand Council Proclamations No. 399), police officers, railway workers, and teachers adapted western clothes as their working clothes.
1871年に陸軍や官僚の制服を西洋風に改めることを定めた天皇の勅諭（太政官布告399号「爾今禮服ニハ洋服ヲ採用ス」）が発せられた以後、警官・鉄道員・教員などが順次服装を西洋化していった。