Young women in colorful kimonos and and smartly-dressed men celebrated Coming-of-Age Day at ceremonies across Japan on Monday.
Coming-of-Age Day is held annually on the second Monday of January.
As usual, Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea were popular spots for young adults to celebrate the day after their ceremonies.
Yokohama Arena held three ceremonies, attracting 35,000 participants. One of the biggest ceremonies was held at Kitakyushu Media Dome, attended by about 8,000 new adults.
The government lowered the age of adulthood to 18 from 20 in April 2022 by revising the Civil Code and changing the legal definition of an adult for the first time in over 140 years, opening up new freedoms and responsibilities for 18- and 19-year-olds.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, as of Jan 1, there were an estimated 1.06 million people (550,000 men and 520,000 women) celebrating Coming-of-Age Day in 2024, a decrease of 60,000 from last year.
© Japan Today
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Fighto!
Congratulations to all these young people! They are a ray of hope for the future in these grim, tough times.
sakurasuki
Every year always a decrease, in 2022 number still 1,20 millions people, 2023 1.12 million, this year 1.06 million. Next year?
factchecker
As usual, Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea were popular spots for young adults to celebrate the day after their ceremonies.
They've just become Adults, yet go to hangouts designed for children. Ironic.
Saki Endo
I agree, next year get them to hang out at the local nenkinjimusho and have it large.
Mark
Tell that to any quarterback who won the Super Bowl.
ifd66
The irony going to what is essentially a children's attraction to celebrate becoming an adult.
What's wrong with a trip to the pub?
wallace
Gen Z drinks less.
Mark
Congrats to all of you Boys and Girls, wish the best of what life has to offer. Love you all.
itsonlyrocknroll
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, as of Jan 1, there were an estimated 1.06 million people (550,000 men and 520,000 women) celebrating Coming-of-Age Day in 2024, a decrease of 60,000 from last year.
Not just congratulations, offer a positive future. Focus on their wellbeing,
timeon
They can’t drink until 20 (which is something incomprehensive for an European).
they mentioned Kita Kyushu, famous for the rowdiest celebrations, any incidents this year?
wallace
They become legally of age when they become 18 years old except for smoking and drinking alcohol when they have their 20th birthday.
kaimycahl
@factchecker Have you ever took a moment to think that yes these young men and women are looking back and transitioning into adulthood and going to Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea is there way of accepting that this is the end of their childish years, and now its time to become responsible adults, respectable citizens and the event there marks the end of their child's play as those days have now passed and will be only good memories?
As usual, Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea were popular spots for young adults to celebrate the day after their ceremonies.
They've just become Adults, yet go to hangouts designed for children. Ironic.
Gene Hennigh
This is a lovely celebration. I wish more countries would do something like this.
The atmosphere , the joy, and the beautiful clothing make it delightful to be around.
The earthquake shouldn't stop all of Japan from all other activities. I'm sure these new adults think about it and some might even be sending money and aid to the area. Things carry on in the US in similar situations.
These people deserve their day. Let them enjoy it. Adulthood is coming for them, too. One last ceremony for them is a good thing.
Agent_Neo
Congratulations to all the new adults.
It's hard when you go out into society, but please do your best.
Now, it's an event that attracts attention every year, but some people seem to be negative about it because of the earthquake that occurred during New Year's Day. That's nonsense, though.
At the time of the 311 Tohoku earthquake, I refrained from attending. However, there were surprisingly many voices from those affected by the disaster, asking them to stop self-restraint because it would make them feel even worse.
It's certainly unfortunate for those affected by the earthquake, but since we live in Japan, we don't know where the next disaster will happen.
It's not a good idea to assume that people affected by the earthquake are necessarily opposed to celebratory events. And who are you to use that as a material to criticize Japanese people?MrJim
TokyoLiving
Congratulations to all..
Elvis is here
Is that a fact?
Three goals
I noticed a lot of Japanese women like to do childish things.
Thomas Twatt
Fair enough, and each to his own.
I celebrated my own ‘coming of age’ 20th birthday in my U. K. hometown with twelve pints of snakebite and a handful of magic mushrooms in the White Horse pub. Can’t remember much of the evening after the fourth pint, truth be told.
‘Culture’, I guess: same same but different, as the Thai bargirls say.
TT