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Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Japan Lowers Age Of Majority From 20 To 18, But There's A Catch

Japan has decided, for the first time since the Meiji Restoration, to finally lower the legal age of majority (adulthood) to 18, effective April 1, 2022.  But before anyone starts celebrating, note that the drinking age, smoking age, and gambling age will all still remain at 20, because reasons.  Really.  Despite the fact that the age limit will now be 18 for literally ALL other adult rights and responsibilities, including, but not limited to, being tried and punished as an adult.

So for 18-19 year old young adults, this feels like a cruel April Fool's Day joke at best.

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9 comments:

  1. AnthonyMarch 31, 2022 at 6:58 PM

    I think they may have learned that from us.

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    1. grantma808March 31, 2022 at 10:27 PM

      Said the same thing. It's no different than the laws here in America, minus an extra year. Voting, marriage, contractual liability, driving, being tried as an adult but no vices.

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    2. edwinforyouthrightsApril 1, 2022 at 2:56 PM

      Unfortunately.

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    3. Ajax the GreatApril 2, 2022 at 9:22 AM

      Most likely, alas.

      Delete
  2. edwinforyouthrightsApril 1, 2022 at 2:59 PM

    It's a good thing that Japan has lowered the age of majority to 18. I agree that the drinking age, smoking age and gambling age should also be 18 as well but that's for the citizens of Japan to figure out and conclude.

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    1. grantma808April 1, 2022 at 6:20 PM

      Well if you are 18-19 as of today in Japan, you're now an adult, but it would be interesting to know if those new adults feel any different.

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    2. grantma808April 1, 2022 at 6:25 PM

      And the reason vices are still 20, is because they don't really think they are full adults, but they need people for the workforce. Japan is a work culture, even more than the US.

      "The move to lower the legal age of adulthood is a direct response to Japan's rapidly aging and shrinking population, which as well as causing ballooning social welfare costs has led to a hollowing out of the country's workforce.

      The Japanese government believes that by lowering the legal age of adulthood, 18 and 19-year-olds will be encouraged to start work and become part of the nation's labour force and help reverse the effects of the nation's hollowed out workforce and help revitalise a stagnant economy."

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  3. Wayland EllisApril 3, 2022 at 7:06 AM

    Hello Ajax,

    I think a lowering of the Age of Majority should be regarded as a step in the right direction. It will increase the scope for the drinking age to also be lowered in the future. As people will be considered legal adults at 18, it will seem absurd to have a drinking or smoking age higher than this.

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