January 7, 2022

Safety and Security

Prime Minister Kishida and relevant ministers participated in the Ministerial Meeting on the Lowering of the Age of Adulthood held on Friday, January 7. Minister Hagiuda attended the meeting as a representative of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). In preparation for the coming into force of the revision to the Civil Code stipulating the lowering of the age of adulthood to 18 in April of this year, he announced that METI will further strengthen efforts in three areas: (1) education, (2) public relations and awareness-raising activities, and (3) encouraging business operators.

1. Ministerial Meeting on the Lowering of the Age of Adulthood
  • A law revising part of the Civil Code including the lowering of the age of adulthood from 20 to 18 will come into force on April 1 of this year. METI has been promoting environmental improvement measures in preparation for the lowering of the age of adulthood in cooperation with relevant government ministries and agencies and industry organizations under the "Liaison Conference of the Relevant Ministries and Agencies."
  • At the meeting held today, the government confirmed that it would work in unison in view of the impending coming into force of the revision to the Civil Code to concentrate on measures to prevent consumer damage to young people, etc., so that they can conduct economic transactions with peace of mind.
  • In addition to the measures taken so far, Minister Hagiuda expressed his intentions to further strengthen efforts in the three areas below and prevent consumer damage to young people.
(1) Education

The government will improve educational opportunities for young people by distributing educational materials, etc., for young people at preparatory schools and other institutions for high school students nationwide.

(2) Public relations and awareness-raising activities

The government will enhance outreach to young people by distributing online content about the lowering of the age of adulthood, by participating in the consumer counseling dial initiative implemented by relevant ministries and agencies, and by strengthening consultation services for young people.

(3) Encouraging business operators

The government will strengthen supervision and inspections of business operators in order to prevent excess credit in the credit sector. In addition, the government will request that industries that provide products and services that are widely used by young people provide them with appropriate information and attention, and will also implement measures in cooperation with these industries to prevent consumer damage to young people.

Related links
  • Ministerial Meeting on the Lowering of the Age of Adulthood (Prime Minister's Office of Japan)
Division in Charge

Commerce Supervisory Division, Commerce and Service Industry Policy Group　

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METI - Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of the State of Japan published this content on 07 January 2022 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 25 January 2022 08:46:04 UTC.