Young Japanese celebrate Coming of Age Day under COVID’s shadow

Gulf Today Report

Young adults dressed to the nines in kimonos gathered at venues in Japan on Monday to mark Japan’s Coming of Age Day, even though the city is under a state of emergency.

Young women in colourful traditional costumes, masks and white stoles braved cold weather in lines and sat seats apart from one another in Yokohama to celebrate reaching the age of majority, although many of the usually jubilant events were cancelled over coronavirus fears, according to Reuters.

Kimono-clad women leave their Coming of Age Day celebration ceremony at Yokohama Arena, Tokyo. Reuters

More than a million people in Japan turn 20 this year, the age at which they can legally smoke and get married without parental approval.

They are traditionally feted each January on "Coming-of-age day" with a formal ceremony, originally a rite of ancient samurai families.

On the second Monday in January every year, people who have turned or are about to turn 20 take part in ceremonies in local event halls or other large-scale venues to celebrate the rite of passage to adulthood.

Youths including kimono-clad women attend their Coming of Age Day celebration ceremony in Tokyo. Reuters

The occasion, which is observed with a national holiday, serves in effect as class reunions for some and represents one of the major child-rearing milestones for parents.

“I came as I’ve got my kimono ready and am taking steps to prevent infection. I’m not that worried,” Mei Ohno, a college student, said at Yokohama Arena.

“I’ve just met my old friends after a long time. I’m having a good time. After the ceremony, I’ll take photos with my friends at the station, and then go straight home.”

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Of Tokyo’s 23 wards, all but one have cancelled or postponed the ceremonies, opting instead to offer mayors’ congratulatory remarks online. The government last week declared a state of emergency for the capital and three surrounding prefectures.

Yokohama city, south of Tokyo, went ahead with celebrations at Pacifico Yokohama North convention hall and Yokohama Arena event hall.

“I decided to carry out today’s ceremonies as I strongly hoped everyone takes part in celebrating this once-in-a-lifetime milestone,” said Mayor Fumiko Hayashi, in a message read out to attendees who had to abide with anti-infection measures.

Participants wore face masks, had their temperature checks and were asked just to listen to the national anthem, instead of singing it out loud.

Japan has seen coronavirus cases total around 289,000, with 4,067 fatalities, according to public broadcaster NHK.