Report on Adulthood Age Reduction Reveals Mixed Opinions

Tokyo, Dec. 16 (Jiji Press)--A Legislative Council subcommittee
released an interim report Tuesday that includes both positive and negative
opinions on lowering Japan's legally recognized adult age of 20.

Members of the panel, set up in February this year following the
enactment of national referendum legislation in May 2007 that basically puts
the minimum voting age at 18, also split over whether the adulthood under
the Civil Code should begin at 18 or 19.
The Civil Code stipulates that those under 20 cannot make contracts
without parental consent.
The panel observed that lowering the adult age would allow young
people independent from parents to freely make contracts for purchases with
money they earn. However, it also found that the move could make it
difficult for parents to give protection against impoverishment to their
children who are unable to support themselves.
Taking into account the analyses of the age reduction's impacts,
some panel members said the government should, first, revise the Civil Code
to lower the age and then make the change after a period of two to 10 years
for bringing in measures to help youngsters deal with consumer issues and
become independent, the interim report showed.
But other members of the panel argued that the Civil Code should
not be revised until such measures have been implemented. They added that
public opinion is opposed to any change in the law, according to the report.
The report, compiled with the help of experts in education and
consumer-related issues, reflects the three basic opinions of the panel
members as to at what age adulthood should begin.
One opinion says that youngsters should become adults on their 18th
birthdays, in line with the national referendum law. Another opinion calls
for adulthood to start during the first March after 18th birthdays, because
most Japanese high school students graduate in March at the age of 18. A
third opinion says that people should be recognized as adults when they
become 19, in order to avoid a situation in which both adults and minors are
at high school together.
The panel agreed on setting the minimum age of marriage at 18 for
both males and females. Currently, boys can marry at 18 and girls at 16.
The panel will solicit public comments on the age reduction issue
and compile a final report in the first half of next year.