Japan Lowers Age of Adulthood from 20 to 18 Years Old

Adulthood may start at age 18 now in Japan, but they can’t smoke or drink until age 20:

Starting April 1, some teenagers in Japan may sign contracts and rent apartments on their own, but they still can’t legally smoke, drink or gamble, according to a change in Japanese law.

Japan is lowering the age of majority, or adulthood, to 18, to stay in step with other countries, including the United States, France and Turkey, according to a Ministry of Justice pamphlet explaining the move.

The change in Japan’s Civil Code lowers the age of adulthood from 20, with one exception: the age at which women may marry is raised to 18 from age 16. Men were already permitted to marry at 18.

The change means that 18- and 19-year-olds may sign contracts, such as those for cellphones, credit cards and apartments, without their parents’ consent. It also ends the legal responsibility of parents to keep custody of their children, care for and educate them, according to the ministry pamphlet. 

In Japan, students graduate from high school at age 17 or 18, and many start working.

The age at which young Japanese may drink, smoke and wager at government-controlled activities such as horse racing, remains 20.

Stars & Stripes

You can read more at the link.