Background

Founded in 1876, Tombow Co., Ltd. is a long-established leader in the Japanese school uniform industry, known for manufacturing and distributing schoolwear and athletic uniforms nationwide. While Tombow has sustained its reputation over generations, the traditional process of measuring students for uniforms had remained largely unchanged—relying on in-person measurement events that required students to attend designated fittings before admission. This process, though familiar, posed several logistical and practical challenges: it was time-consuming, costly for families who lived far from campus, and stressful to coordinate for schools.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to avoid physical contact brought these challenges to the forefront. In-person sizing sessions, once standard practice, became a health concern and a logistical burden. Tombow recognized an opportunity to modernize its operations, improve user experience, and reduce the friction that families and schools often faced.

The Collaboration

To address these issues, Tombow partnered with Bodygram, a Tokyo-based startup specializing in AI-powered body measurement. Together, they launched Hakarunjar, a remote sizing service that enables students to get measured and order uniforms entirely via smartphone.

The technology behind Hakarunjar is powered by Bodygram’s AI, which uses two photos—one front-facing and one from the side—along with basic personal information such as age, height, weight, and gender. With this input, Bodygram’s algorithm can estimate 25 key body measurements, including waist size, shoulder width, and limb length, all without requiring the user to change clothes or use any physical measurement tools. This enables sizing recommendations tailored to the individual, while maintaining consistency across the production of standardized uniforms.

Once the student’s body data is analyzed, the system recommends the most appropriate uniform size and allows users to complete their order directly on the same platform. This seamless integration transforms what was once a multi-step, offline process into a streamlined digital experience.

Impact

The introduction of Hakarunjar marked a major shift in how Tombow serves its customers. By spring 2021, the service was already in use at multiple partner schools, serving around 10,000 students across Japan. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Parents found relief in the ability to complete the entire sizing and ordering process from home, and schools benefited from the reduced administrative burden and improved efficiency.

In addition to convenience, the system offered clear health and safety benefits. By eliminating the need for physical fittings, Tombow minimized exposure risk for students and staff, aligning with the heightened public concern for hygiene and contactless services brought on by the pandemic.

Another notable benefit was the improvement in fit accuracy. Although uniforms are typically produced in standard sizes, they must accommodate a wide range of body types. Bodygram’s AI allowed for more precise sizing recommendations based on individual body shapes, improving comfort and reducing the likelihood of sizing errors or garment returns.

Moreover, the system helped reduce operational costs. Schools and families no longer needed to coordinate fitting events, and there was a significant decrease in the production and shipping of sample garments. These operational improvements also translated into sustainability gains, as reduced waste and fewer deliveries meant a smaller environmental footprint for Tombow’s uniform supply chain.

Broader Significance

The success of the Tombow and Bodygram collaboration illustrates how traditional industries can embrace digital transformation to meet the evolving needs of customers. What started as a response to a public health crisis quickly became a model for modernization and efficiency in schoolwear logistics.

It also showcased how Bodygram’s technology—originally positioned as an innovation for fashion and fitness—could be applied across different domains, from retail to education. As demand for contactless services continues to grow, Tombow’s adoption of AI-driven sizing points to a broader trend: technology is no longer just an enhancer of convenience—it’s becoming essential infrastructure.