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Answerman - Why Do Japanese School Kids Carry Randoseru?

In Australia school bags are mandated by each school and will generally match the uniforms colours and have the logo on it. As far as I can remember all throughout school including primary school (elementary school) and secondary school (junior and senior high school) it was always backpacks. Backpacks were way more comfortable when travelling with heavy textbooks. I can't imagine using a satchel/ messenger bag for school.

Because of that it makes the bags used in Japan seem so interesting and unique from my perspective.

Curious. From my own experiences, school bags would be replaced on a near-annual basis, mainly due to wear and tear along with the material consequences of bullying. That a child can typically use the same rucksack for many years is a testimony to schoolyard decorum.

Watching this week Kobayashi-san episode, I was surprised to learn how much these "Randoseru" cost !!!

As for it being expensive, I don't really mind that because its better than changing backpack all the time due to the usual stock being too delicate. Had been forced to purchased a bag for my little sister last Saturday because the old one got damaged, and that was bought last December.

Kid's backpacks nowadays are cheaply made thus wear and tear happen faster. Living in the US, backpack on sale at beginning of school year is a ripoff on its own as it only costs about $5 to make it in oversea and retailers are charging $30 to $60 for the backpack. Not to mention they're not even water-proof. For parents who buy their kid's backpack every year, it adds up to $180 to $360 in 6 years.

I guess it's not much different from Japanese parents who buy only one backpack for the same amount of time. However for anyone who is environmentally conscious, buying cheap backpack every year is a waste on its own.