Hair today, hungover tomorrow as young Japanese come of age

“I’m very nervous,” she added. “It’s a special day, the first step towards being an adult. My parents told me I have to take responsibility for my own actions now. But first I want to celebrate by going drinking.”

If drinking and smoking are what being an adult is for these folks Japan's future is not too bright.

@ Yubaru Wait...you mean there's more?

If drinking and smoking are what being an adult is for these folks Japan's future is not too bright.

And I thought I was a curmudgeon. Young adults across the planet have the same feelings when they hit drinking age.

I had my first hangover at 11,what is the fuss about?

A large number of the girls have already been working in hostess bars and drinking booze for the last couple of years...!

I had my first hangover at 11,what is the fuss about?

Everyone, kurisupisu would like you to know, despite it having nothing to do with the thread, that he had a hangover at 11 years of age. Apparently this makes him a "Hip cat" and anyone who didn't have a similar experience to be a "turkey" or "square".

Once again, let's all take a minute to reflect on kurisupisu being drunk, then hungover, at 11 years of age.

Well from what I have seen in my time here,turning 20 makes you an adult but your not grown up until you're in your late 40's and decide to leave the nest!!!

Our parents gave us a few drops of wine in a big glass of water when we were just into our teens - this is probably what made us so strong for alcohol later on. Suddenly "drowning" in alcohol because one has just turned twenty is recipe for disaster.

So they've become "adults" but still have to be sternly talked to by some retirement age know-it-all at a boring ceremony. Not sure why such speeches can't instead be inspirational or uplifting. I'm not from the USA but their universities practice of inviting business leaders or other actual inspirational people to speak at graduation and try to inspire the students (here, adults) seems infinitely more appropriate and meaningful.

Mickey Mouse, Hello Kitty, fags and booze. Hurray, everyone's an adult now.

some poor cat hammered in the tabehodai/Nomihodai place I went last night puking all over himsel.His parents had to come pick him up and get him ready for the ceremony the next day.Ah the folly of youth

Vote at 18 years old even before you can drink and smoke?

Welcome to the life of freedom with responsibility.

Congrats to all these young men and women! Enjoy your night. Make us proud in the days to come.

Once again, let's all take a minute to reflect on Kurisupisu being drunk, then hungover, at 11 years of age. the more I see people drunk and the problems it causes, the more I can honestly say Im proud "Ive never been drunk in my life" Yes ive drunk on a few occasions and coming from a family of drinkers it sounds very surprising that I've never been drunk. I actually pity people who feel need to get high on drugs or alcohol to bring some sort of escape or ecstasy in their lives. No I don't pity people who drink just those that can't drink in moderation, And no Im not a Muslim or am I in a religion that forbids alcohol. Ive just got the will power to say no against peer pressure. The only drug I can truly say I may have a slight addiction is coffee/ caffine. LOL

People spend 10,000 on a manicure? Glad my wife does not get them done then.

Would you become more knowlegeable, well do you know what happens next door? Well country? Well continent? Ahh globe?

So young and naive :) Have good one!

Good to see a few of these kids out on the town having a few drinks. Great fun.

@wtfjapan congratulations. Who cares

The coming of age ceremony used to be held in Naha at the city gym, that because a HUGE cluster-fruck as the "new" adult Yankee's caused huge disturbances during the ceremonies and acted out as fools afterwards, causing the city much embarrassment. (Always bugged me that the local news broadcasts would mosaic out the faces of these "adults" to protect their identity, when if it was someone in their 30's doing the same thing there wouldn't be any covering of identities.)

Anyway, now the ceremonies are held at individual JHS's and still there are problems.

Having a drink, smoking, whatever, fine, enjoy yourselves, I congratulate you. But becoming an adult is a hell of a lot more than just that, and I am quite sure that it will take at least a decade or more for some of them to finally realize that, if they are lucky!

First: January 9 (10) does not make you an adult and of legal age to drink and smoke. Your 20th birthday does. Second: To all the kids out there that are stating "I can finally go out clubbing and drinking", we parents are not stupid. Though laws in Japan don't 'PERMIT' you to drink and smoke before your 20th birthday, the way the laws are enforced, allow you to do so. and we parents know you do it. So get off your high horse, move out of your parent's house or pay room and board, cook your own meals, clean your own room, and wash your own clothes and work on paying back the millions your parents slaved for for your education. Welcome to a real responsible adult life.

Yeah thousands more legally steaming smoke in your face at every restaurant in Japan.

Celebrate entry into adulthood by acting like children.

The age a young person entered adulthood was set at 20 for both genders in 1876.

That says it all right there

There were an estimated 1.21 million new adults as of January 1—a decrease of some 50,000 from last year and half the 1970 peak of 2.46 million, according to government figures, mirroring the country’s shrinking population.

That's it? It seems to me that the population decline is accelerating exponentially.

Japan’s annual birth rate recently dipped below one million for the first time in over 100 years, reflecting its rapidly ageing society.

dipped below 1 mil?? Celebrations aside, this is really terrifying.

Now its over Hay Kids Hows the Hangovers I hope their is a lot of banging and loud noise around your places

kurisupisuJAN. 09, 2017 - 06:15PM JST I had my first hangover at 11,what is the fuss about?

You were also poorly parented. I fuss about your parents.

All these new adults can now enjoy paying pension premiums too!