Information

2013.01.24

Japan’s Coming of Age Day

The 2nd Monday of January is Japan’s national holiday to celebrate young people who have reached the age of 20 or the “Coming of Age Day” when young people become adults with responsibility for themselves and the society.

People who turn 20 each year will wear a kimono or dress up to join the welcoming ceremony and the training that each sub-district and district has organized. Some dress up and behave properly while some are very hip and jump up and down on the stage because they think that, from this moment on, they will have the freedom of thought which does not depend on the thoughts of other adults or parents. They can do anything they want.

Everyone who has reached the age of 20 has to pay the monthly social security fee to the government. If they are still unemployed, they can postpone it until they get a paid job. It is like a relay race when the older generation passes a baton to the next generation who will have to take responsibility for the society. When I saw this, I really wanted to know what the Thai society and the Japanese society would be like when our children turn 20.