In almost all countries in United Nations, they adopt 18 for the age of majority. In international society, it is like a trend, but in Japan, 20 is the age of majority. In recent years, there are some arguments about lowering the age of majority in Japan. By lowing the age, they can solve various problems. So, this paper will discuss some of advantages related lowering the age of majority in Japan from 20 to 18. There are three main advantages: commitment to politics, criminal liability against juveniles and increase of pension revenue.
The government will start talks next month on lowering the voting age from 20 to 18, Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said on 26 Jan. 2012 (Ito, 2012). Now, there are no signs that this argument will be submitted to the current ordinary Diet session. But, about voting age, government thought it is necessary to change present systems. To lower the age of majority, younger Japanese will take advantage of the opportunity to make them and their concerns known. If people think about politics among young, it will increase voting participation. And more Japanese will commit to politics.
In recent years in Japan, juvenile delinquency just keeps on increasing. In present systems, under 20 years old criminals are protected by the Juvenile Act. No matter how atrocious the crime, even murder, juveniles have protected human rights. “Family courts are run in closed sessions, try juvenile offenders under special laws, and operate extensive probationary guidance programs” (“Criminal justice system of Japan”, 2012). But are over 18 year old criminals really juvenile? Some are working, and some are marrying. They really do not have own thinking? Lowering the age of majority makes them deter from committing crimes, and tend to consider the consequences of their behavior. This will lower crime rates.
Finally, one of the most serious problems in Japan is a lack of pension. Japan is an aging society with a low birthrate. Connected with this, expenditures of pension continue to increase. From the video An Age Old Problem - Japan, many Japanese think uneasiness about present pension systems. Clearly, pension systems are on the verge of collapse in an aging society with a low birthrate. According to lowing the age of majority, it will be easy to establish systems to pay a government pension plan from 18 years old. Therefore, incomes of government will grow, and government will be able to pay pension easier than now. It may solve a lack of pension.
In conclusion, this paper has discussed some advantages related to lowering the age of majority in Japan from 20 to 18. Actually, lowing the age of majority has various problems to solve, for example permission ages for drinking alcohol, smoking and so on. But by lowing the age, there are more advantages. No matter how hard solve a lot of problems, it is worth lowering the age. Possibly the age of majority in Japan may be 18 years old in future.
References
An Age Old Problem – Japan. Journeymanpictures. 25 May. 2012. YouTube. Web. 16 Jun. 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG67vfjjT24>
“Criminal justice system of Japan” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 8 Jun. 2012. Web. 9 Jun. 2012.
Ito, Masami. "Talks to start on lowering voting age." The Japan Times Online. 27 Jan. 2012. Web. 1 Jun. 2012. <http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120127a1.html>
