The Yokohama Arena was packed and lively. On January 8, the annual ** ceremony was held here, which attracted about 350,000 young people over the age of 18 gathered to celebrate this important moment in their lives.
This special festival has a long history in Japan, and this year it is attracting attention for its special background. In 2022, Japan's legal age will be lowered from 20 to 18 years old, a change that not only marks the trend of younger Japanese society, but also means that young people will take on their responsibilities and obligations earlier.
Photographer: Franck Robichon
On this day, young girls dress up in a variety of kimonos and make a grand appearance. These kimonos are carefully selected and crafted in a variety of colors and patterns that showcase the unique charm of traditional Japanese culture. In such a solemn and beautiful way, young people announce to the world that they have reached adulthood and are about to enter a new chapter in their lives.
The traditional kimono is an important part of Japanese culture, not only as a garment, but also as an art and historical heritage. On the day of the ceremony, wearing a kimono is not only a beautiful decoration, but also a kind of respect and inheritance of traditional culture. Every detail is full of rituals, highlighting the importance of etiquette and tradition in Japanese culture.
The young people who participated in the ceremony came from all walks of life, some of them were students who had just graduated from high school, some were young people who had entered college, and some were young people who had already stepped into society. Despite their different backgrounds, they all share the same dreams and expectations and a desire to achieve more in the future in life.
It is worth noting that although the legal age in Japan has been lowered to 18 years old, in fact, many young people still need to face pressure to find jobs and go on to higher education. In this competitive society, they need to put in more effort to achieve their dreams. Therefore, the ceremony is not only a day to mark our adulthood, but also an opportunity to remind us to keep working hard and keep improving.
In addition, statistics show that a total of 1.06 million people in Japan will be 18 years old in 2024, a decrease of about 60,000 from 2023 and the lowest since statistics began in 1968. This data has raised concerns about the younger generation in Japan. In an ageing society, the growth and development of young people is critical to the future of the nation. Therefore, how to better support the growth and development of young people has become an important issue that needs to be paid attention to in Japan and society.
After the ceremony, many young people said that they would cherish their youth more and work hard to improve themselves in all aspects such as study, work, and socialization. They hope that through their own efforts, they will become responsible and responsible adults and make greater contributions to society.
Overall, the Japanese rite is a festival full of ritual and history. This day not only marks the young people stepping into the ranks of the best, but also reminds them to cherish their youth and work hard. I hope that these young people will continue to work hard and improve in the years to come, and become the backbone of Japanese society.