今日は成人の日。成人になってからすでに2.5倍の月日が経ちました。今は成人が18歳とされていますが、多くの自治体は20歳を対象に成人式を実施しているようです。知らなかった。
総務省の推計によると、31日の元日を18歳で迎える新成人の数は、男性が56万人、女性が53万人の合わせて109万人とのこと。自分たちの頃は200万人いたので半分に減っている計算となります。人口減少はすごい勢いで進んでいますね。
成人式では、振袖や羽織袴といった華やかな和装を身にまとい、これまで支えてくれた家族や地域の人々への感謝を示すとともに、大人としての決意を新たにする場でもあります。式典では、市区町村の首長や地元の代表者からのお祝いの挨拶や、成人代表によるスピーチが行われることが一般的です。また、多くの人にとっては、同級生や旧友と久しぶりに再会する特別な日でもあります。
毎年うらやましいと思うのは浦安市。ディズニー好きの我が家は、子供が成人になるまでに引っ越したいとも思います(笑)が、東日本大震災の時の液状化を見ているのでやはり住むのは怖いかもです。
20歳まで長男であと6年、次男であと8年あります。そこまでは生きていたいものです。今年の人間ドック早く行こう。
Today is Coming of Age Day in Japan. It has already been 2.5 times the span of time since I became an adult. While adulthood is now officially recognized at the age of 18, many municipalities still hold Coming of Age ceremonies for those who are 20 years old. I didn’t know that.
According to estimates by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the number of new adults who turned 18 as of January 1st this year is 1.09 million, with 560,000 men and 530,000 women. Back in our time, there were around 2 million new adults, so the number has halved. The pace of population decline is astonishing.
At the Coming of Age ceremony, young adults dress in elegant traditional attire such as furisode for women and haori-hakama for men. It is an occasion to express gratitude to their families and communities who have supported them while also marking a fresh commitment as adults. The ceremonies typically feature congratulatory speeches by mayors and local representatives, as well as remarks by newly minted adults. For many, it’s also a day to reconnect with old friends and classmates after a long time apart.
Every year, I can’t help but feel envious of the ceremonies held in Urayasu City, where they celebrate at Tokyo Disneyland. Our family loves Disney, and I’ve even thought about moving there before my kids reach adulthood. (Haha!) But the liquefaction issues during the Great East Japan Earthquake make me hesitate about living there—it’s a bit too scary.
My eldest son has six more years until he turns 20, and my younger son has eight years. I hope to live at least until then. I really need to schedule this year’s health checkup soon.
株式会社ASAP
及川知也
