With the age of adulthood being lowered to 18 last year, a coming-of-age ceremony for 18-year-olds was held in Iga City, Mie Prefecture.
At the coming-of-age ceremony held at the Iga City Cultural Center, 2004 people born between April 4, 2 and April 4, 1, including those who graduated from high school, gathered this spring wearing sleeves and suits.
In his speech, Mayor Sakae Okamoto encouraged you, saying, "You have youth and infinite hope, and I hope you will live a life without regrets."
Yuzuki Yoshikawa, the representative of the new adults, vowed, "I will never forget my feelings of gratitude, pride in growing up in my hometown of Iga, and determination as an adult, and I will continue to walk vigorously in my future life."
At the ceremony, Board of Education staff gave quizzes on consumer troubles, such as "What happens if you become a joint guarantor?" and urged people not to get into trouble.
An 604-year-old vocational school student said, "I can't drink alcohol yet and I don't feel like an adult, but I'm looking forward to meeting my friends, and I want to grow up to be useful to society."
A 18-year-old mother who accompanied her daughter said, "It was difficult to prepare for the coming-of-age ceremony because it coincided with the entrance exam, but I am relieved to have this day."