The age of adulthood in Japan was lowered from 20 to 18 on April 1, 2022. This makes it possible for 18- or 19-year-olds to sign a smartphone contract or take out a loan without parental consent, but also means that they need to take responsibility for such decisions.
The age of adulthood was long defined as starting from 20 in Japan, as first stipulated in an 1876 proclamation. From April 1, 2022, however, through a revision in the Civil Code, it has been lowered to 18. As defined in the Civil Code, this is the age at which a person may enter a contract on their own and is no longer subject to parental authority.
This means that 18-year-olds will be able to sign a contract for a smartphone or credit card, lease an apartment, or enter an expensive loan contract for an automobile or English conversation school, without parental consent. Previously, contracts entered by those under 20 years of age could be rescinded by their parents after the fact, but starting this April any contract entered by people 18 or older will, in principle, be their sole responsibility.
The age at which a woman can marry was raised from 16 to 18 to bring it in line with the age for men, without any parental consent required. It has also become possible for people with gender dysphoria to petition for gender reassignment at 18.
Rights at 18
Enter cell-phone or credit-card contract without parental consent
Lease apartment or other property without parental consent
Obtain passport valid for 10 years
Obtain national licenses such as to be a certified public accountant or judicial scrivener
Submit petition to the family court requesting gender reassignment
File lawsuit
Marry without parental consent (minimum marriageable age for women raised from 16 to 18)
Despite the reduction of the age of adulthood to 18, drinking and smoking will remain prohibited for anyone under 20. Public gambling such as betting on horse or boat racing is also allowed only for those 20 years of age or older. These age requirements are based on considerations related to social issues, such as health hazards or risk of addiction.
Rights from Age 20 as Previously
Drinking alcohol
Smoking
Public gambling (horse racing, bicycle racing, boat racing, motorcycle racing)
Obtain a license for a large- or medium-size vehicle, such as a truck
Enroll in the National Pension Plan
Many coming-of-age ceremonies will continue to be held by local governments around Japan for those aged 20, as in the past. This is because January tends to be a busy and stressful time for 18-year-old high school students, who are either preparing for university entrance exams or job hunting, so that many cannot attend such ceremonies. Some municipalities are considering changing the name of their ceremonies.
The laws and rules of society change over time, and the age of adulthood is no exception. In fact, the legal age of adulthood in Japan has been lowered to 18 as of April 1st, 2022. While it may not affect traditional celebrations such as "Seijin no Hi," it does cause changes in marriage, property rental age, and so on.
Japan lowered the age of adulthood from 20 to 18 on April 1 by revising the Civil Code and changing the legal definition of an adult for the first time in over 140 years.
TOKYO (AP) — Japan's parliament on Friday raised the age of sexual consent to 16 from 13, a limit which had remained unchanged for more than a century and was among the world's lowest, amid calls for greater protection of children and women. The revision was part of a revamping of laws related to sex crimes.
Political and economic reasons have been given for lowering the age of majority. In 2014, the constitutional referendum law was revised, lowering the voting age from 20 to 18. This was in the aim of increasing political awareness and turnout amongst young people.
The legal age for buying and consuming alcoholic beverages in Japan is 20 years old. Japan has some of the world's best sake (obviously), shochu, whiskey, and beer. But to enjoy these beverages, you'll need to be at least 20 years old.
The lowest age of consent is in Nigeria (11), followed by the Philippines and Angola (12). The age of consent is 13 in three countries – Niger, Comoros, and Burkina Faso.
It has been 13 years since 1907 when the Penal Code of Japan set the age limit. At that time, the average life expectancy of women was 44 years, and it was common for women to marry and have children at a young age. In society at that time, 13 was regarded as a reasonable age of consent.
Japan's parliament on Friday raised the age of sexual consent to 16 from 13, a limit which had remained unchanged for more than a century and was among the world's lowest, amid calls for greater protection of children and women.
Under the Japanese Civil Code the minimum legal age of marriage is 18 years for boys and 16 years for girls. A person who is under 20 years of age cannot get married in Japan without parental approval.
Legal age in Japan is 20 years old, but since April 2022, voting age has been lowered to 18 years old. As a consequence, new rights and responsibilities related to living within society are now accessible to younger adults.
Is it Common for Minors to Live Alone in Japan? Minors living alone in Japan is not as common as most anime would lead one to believe, but it is legally permitted in the country.
In Japan, the legal adult age is 20. Japanese law prohibits individuals under the age of 20 to drink alcohol or smoke. Regardless of age, you must not force anyone to drink or smoke as it may cause serious health and social consequences.
The reality is Japanese aren't very strict when it comes to enforcing underage drinking laws, especially at izakayas and restaurants. It's not about leniency from the legal perspective. The leniency comes from the fact that they just don't see it as a big deal. Much of Europe is also the same way.
However, almost all states set the base legal age as 18 years old. This is the age at which a person gains control over their own actions and affairs and becomes responsible for the decisions they make. Those past the age of legal majority are usually tried as adults when charged with crimes.
The age of consent remained 13 for a long time because Japanese society did not consider it a problem due to conservatism and / or lack of awareness on why it was problematic.
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