New Adults See a Bright Future for Japan, Let's Share the Optimism

Congratulations to all the 20-year-olds celebrating their Coming of Age this January. May you always keep in mind that you are now adults and remain positive as you progress along the road of life.

According to estimates released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the population of 18-year-olds in Japan as of January 1 was approximately 1.09 million. That is roughly the same as in 2025.

However, the number of new adults ー born in 2007 ー is the second lowest on record since Japan began collecting these statistics in 1968. The lowest number was recorded in 2024.

Actually, it also depends on how "adult" is defined. In 2022, the law was changed to lower the official age of majority. Consequently, voting rights and most other rights are now available to those aged 18 and over. However, young people are still prohibited from drinking alcohol or smoking until they reach the age of 20.

In recent years, coming-of-age ceremonies held by local governments and other organizations have often been renamed "gatherings of twenty-year-olds." They are now held for those who have just turned 20.

*In Okuma Town, new adults pose with town officials for a commemorative photo at the "Okuma Town Coming-of-Age Ceremony." (©Sankei by Nobuo Serizawa)*

Milestones to Adulthood

In other words, for young Japanese today, both 18 and 20 are milestones on their road to adulthood. As they reach each of these milestones, we encourage them to understand their rights and responsibilities as full-fledged members of society.

In December 2025, the research firm Macromill Inc conducted a survey of 20-year-olds in Japan. The survey characterized the participants as the "AI native generation" because the Generative AI service "ChatGPT" was initially released during their high school years.

One surprising result was that 56.6% of the respondents answered that they "have high expectations" for Japanese politics. They include respondents who answered that they "have high expectations to some extent." That represents a roughly 2.7-fold jump from 2024, just a year earlier. They were also asked why they thought that way. Among the respondents, many cited "changes in the political system" and "expectations for the new administration."

Nearly half (45.2%) of respondents also said they felt Japan's future is bright. That is the highest number since 2009.

Furthermore, the survey results showed growing interest in the economy and monetary policy. Additionally, views regarding marriage and childbirth were trending positive.

A Year of Momentous Change

The survey results are starkly different from the conventional image of young people as indifferent to politics and pessimistic about Japan and their own future.

Macromill's analysis showed that "an attitude of seeing social change in a positive light is becoming more visible" among young people. Moreover, it concluded that the survey highlights a generation that paints a positive picture of their own lives and futures and actively seeks to connect with society.

*Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi enters the Prime Minister’s Office, December 22 (©Sankei by Ataru Haruna).*

There is no denying that 2025 was a year of momentous change in Japanese politics. Japan's first female prime minister was elected, and the framework of the coalition government was changed.

It is precisely because of times like these that it is important to have firm opinions and look towards the future with hope. Also needed is the mettle to always keep moving forward. Above all, a positive attitude is the key to survival amidst the turbulence.