Japan is welcoming 18- and 19-year-olds into adulthood, lowering the legal age of majority for the first time in more than a century. But don't raise your glass just yet.
The teens will still have to wait until they're 20 to drink, smoke, or gamble.
But the revised Civil Code will let them make many adult decisions without their parents. That includes getting a credit card or taking out a loan.
The change has some people worried that fraudsters will use this opportunity to prey on young victims.
(University Student)
“I realized yesterday that I was coming of age today. But I don't feel like I've become an adult at all.”
The teens will still have to wait until they're 20 to drink, smoke, or gamble.
But the revised Civil Code will let them make many adult decisions without their parents. That includes getting a credit card or taking out a loan.
The change has some people worried that fraudsters will use this opportunity to prey on young victims.
(University Student)
“I realized yesterday that I was coming of age today. But I don't feel like I've become an adult at all.”
Japan is grappling with an aging society, declining birth rate, and shortage of workers.
The government hopes that lowering the legal age of adulthood will encourage teens to take a more active role in society.
◆ fraudster 詐欺師
The government hopes that lowering the legal age of adulthood will encourage teens to take a more active role in society.
◆ fraudster 詐欺師
◆ prey on 食い物にする、餌食にする
◆ come of age 成年に達する
◆ grapple with （問題を解決するために）取り組む、～と格闘する