Almost every country has schools that require uniforms, but no country takes school uniforms to the level of cuteness that Japan does. Most foreigners are aware of the sailor suit style that the majority of junior high schools girls wear, but the array of styles used by different schools in Japan is mind boggling. Boys styles are typically based on Meiji era military uniforms while high school girls uniforms tend to take after the style of western Catholic schools. Because different schools have varying levels of reputation, especially high schools, a specific high school uniform can be seen as a fashion statement in itself.