Dear Kyoto NHK ESS members,
Genre: discussion
Title: What do you think of lowering the age of adulthood from 20 to 18?
Japanese government revised the Civil Code to lower the age of adulthood from 20 to 18.
The revised Civil Code came into effect on April 1,2022.
Under the revised Civil Code, 18 and 19 years old citizens have the right to vote.
Moreover, they can make consumer contracts without parental consent.
Juvenile Law was revised since the age of adulthood is enacted 18.
Under the revised Juvenile Law, 18 to 19 years olds who commit a crime should face harsher punishment as "specified juveniles."
On the other hand, under 20 is still prohibited from drinking alcohol, smoking and gambling.
1. What do you think of revising the Civil Code to lower the age of adulthood from 20 to 18?
Do you agree or disagree?
2. If you were a lawmaker, how would you revise the article to the age of adulthood?
3. What is the boundary between adult and child for you?
Procedures
1．Make some small groups from 4 to 5 members.
2 . Discuss about the topic.
3. I will hand out the paper listed the specific cases caused by lowering the age of adulthood from 20 to 18 to each group..
Please write ’’AGREE‘‘ or ‘‘DISAGREE``on each case as a group. The representative of the group will explain why your group
choose ``AGREE`` or ``DISAGREE`.`
I hope you will enjoy the practice.
Thanks!!
Seiichiro Iwai