Seijin shiki
| Coming of Age Day | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Observed by | Japan |
| Type | National |
| Significance | Congratulates and encourages all those who have reached the age of maturity (20 years old) over the past year and celebrates adulthood |
| Date | Second Monday in January |
| 2016 date | January 11 |
| 2017 date | January 9 |
| 2018 date | January 8 |
| 2019 date | January 14 |
| Frequency | annual |
Coming of Age Day (成人の日 Seijin no Hi?) is a Japanese holiday held annually on the second Monday of January. It is held in order to congratulate and encourage all those who have reached the age of majority (20 years old) over the past year, and to help them realize that they have become adults. Festivities include coming of age ceremonies (成人式 seijin-shiki?) held at local and prefectural offices, as well as after-parties among family and friends.
Coming of age ceremonies have been celebrated in Japan since at least 714 AD, when a young prince donned new robes and a hairstyle to mark his passage into adulthood. The holiday was first established in 1948, to be held every year on January 15. In 2000, as a result of the Happy Monday System, Coming of Age Day was changed to the second Monday in January.
Until recently, all young adults attending the coming of age ceremony were exactly 20, having held their 20th birthday after the previous year's Coming of Age Day but before (or on) the present Coming of Age Day.
Coming of age ceremonies (成人式 Seijin-shiki?) mark one's coming of age (age of maturity), which reflects both the expanded rights but also increased responsibilities expected of new adults. The ceremonies are generally held in the morning at local city offices throughout Japan. All young adults who turned or will turn 20 between April 2 of the previous year and April 1 of the current one and who maintain residency in the area are invited to attend. Government officials give speeches, and small presents are handed out to the newly recognized adults.
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