Mainichi reports that the Japanese government is planning to lower the age of majority —the age from which one is legally an adult — from 20 to 18.
At present, Japanese can legally smoke, drink and vote (not neccessarily in that order) from age 20.
Normally, I'd think that this was a good idea. It has always seemed strange to me to read a news story that begins with "A 19-year-old boy..."
Although some people make me feel like they should raise the age of adulthood to oh, around 27....
Anyway, I haven't seen any other articles on the subject yet, so it raises a few questions:
Will this just apply to voting rights, or will the smoking and drinking laws also change?
What happens to "Coming-of-Age Day" (成人の日)? Will ceremonies be held for people who turn 18 during that year?
Will psychological and societal effects result in a more mature, independent, politically aware and active younger set?
Will hell freeze over?
Friday, November 02, 2007
Japanese to "come of age" at 18
1 comments:
Strangely, the Japanese government are going to let younger people drink and smoke younger too- not what you expect from the LDP. The fact that they are forcing adulthood on the teenagers who'd rather stay as kids, however, surprises me much less
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