The government in Japan has decided to lower the age for becoming an adult. Currently the age is 20, but starting 4/1/22 it will be 18. However, there are still some things that you are not allowed to do until you are 20, so the law will be a bit confusing. You still must be 20 to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, gamble, etc. But now at 18 you will be allowed to sign a legal contract for housing, opening a credit card, purchasing a mobile phone, etc. without your parents’ agreement. Until now men had to be 20 and women 16 to get married, but now that age will change to 18 for both men and women. Another change will mean bad news for young people who hold dual citizenship. Currently you have until age 22 to decide if you want to keep your Japanese nationality, but starting 4/1/22 you will have to decide this by age 20. Lastly, what will happen to the coming-of-age ceremony? It seems like it will depend on the area you live in. Some areas are thinking about changing the name “coming of age” to “20-year-old gathering”.
