TOKYO —

The number of people who turned 20 years old, the legal age of adulthood in Japan, as of Jan. 1 came to 1.33 million, down about 20,000 from a year earlier and a record low for the second consecutive year, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry said Monday.

The new adults—680,000 men and 650,000 women—celebrated the start of adulthood at ceremonies held nationwide Monday marking Coming-of-Age Day, a national holiday. They account for 1.04% of Japan’s total population, down 0.02 percentage point from a year earlier to mark a record low for a third straight year.

There were several up-and-coming young actresses among this year’s new adults: Yui Aragaki, 20, star of “Furefure shojo” released last year; Erika Toda, 20, star of “Koi kyokusei” to be released on March 14; and Maki Horikita, 20, who appeared in last year’s NHK period drama “Atsuhime.”

Latest 15 of 17 Total Comments Show All

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  kwatt at 07:25 PM JST - 12th January

  I can't believe this is national holiday. Japan is too peaceful country, isn't it? They can drink and smoke like hell from today.

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  herefornow at 07:44 PM JST - 12th January

  And all 650,0000 women gave the peace sign in every photo taken of them.

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  martyman at 08:14 PM JST - 12th January

  I wonder how many are going to joint the ranks of unemployed adults?

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  onewrldoneppl at 08:49 PM JST - 12th January

  if you go to youtube and do a search for "okinawa" and "coming of age day", or the kanji equivalents ... you'll see what it's all about. first: go round with your mates, get your hair styled into a blonde/orange punch-perms/regents. second: get dressed with your mob in matchin' kimonos. next: swill japanese sake like it's goin' outta style. then: parade through the streets and demonstrate your true worth by makin' a supreme rear outta yourself. finally: top it all of with a drunken brawl with the more than scared of you local cops and spend the night in county lock-up before your mother comes to pick you up the followin' mornin'.

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  PaizuriSan at 09:38 PM JST - 12th January

  First "white day" and now this? Anything better/relevant to celebrate? How about tabacco/alcohol day! That would make more sense.Q

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  some14some at 11:28 PM JST - 12th January

  Born in Heisei era? think and live in tranquility don't envy those born in Showa...except a decade of bubble era life is same !

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  Pukey2 at 11:55 PM JST - 12th January

  And I still saw Disneyland on TV.

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  usaexpat at 12:28 AM JST - 13th January

  Happy coming of age day, I hope you're all excited at the future of temporary work and reduced living standards that awaits you.

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  realist at 12:58 AM JST - 13th January

  No-one seems to have noticed the fact that there are 30,000 more Japanese 20 year olds than women! Now, I wonder what that will result in?

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  realist at 12:59 AM JST - 13th January

  That should read 30,000 more men than women.

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  norinrad21 at 05:24 AM JST - 13th January

  still children and at home till 30

  until their late 30s

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  kokuryu at 05:57 AM JST - 13th January

  When would they all enter the workforce? Before or after this day? Well, I wish them all a good year, one better than last year.

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  telecasterplayer at 11:15 AM JST - 13th January

  Welcome to adulthood. Good luck getting jobs.

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  techall at 11:19 AM JST - 13th January

  I can see this headline 20 years from now: Japan welcoms 50,000 new adults on Coming of age day reminding each one that they are now responsible to sholder the cost of social benefits for 20,000 aged people.

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  sf2k at 03:53 AM JST - 14th January

  Yes too few youth and too many adults/elderly. if there are fewer youth than adults every Coming-of-age-day, how are Japan's social programs going to be paid? contract work if available isn't exactly well paying. It's certainly not more money than current jobs.

  These kids will live at home as long as possible because they will need to, not like they can afford it otherwise. They will not save any money. Once the parents have passed on though, they won't be able to afford a house and will be forced out.

  what on earth is left for them? Does anyone, anyone at all, discuss this? Or is some dreary apartment eating leftover food from your job at the convenience store the new ideal?

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