The Sankei Shimbun 
Participants at the Coming-of-Age Gathering venue in Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, January 12.
On January 12, Coming-of-Age Ceremonies were held in Wajima and Suzu. The two cities in Ishikawa Prefecture were severely affected by the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake and heavy rains. The ceremony honors young adults who turn 20, marking their transition into adulthood.
In Noto, many young people leave their hometowns before turning 20 to pursue education or job opportunities. At the ceremonies, several participants made promises to return in the future. One of them said, "One day, I want to come back and contribute to the growth of my hometown."
The Hope of Two Cities
In Suzu, 71 people took part in the Coming-of-Age gathering. Eita Omi, 20, who is training to become a chef in Kanazawa City, gave a speech. He said, "I will continue to work hard every day so that one day I can showcase my skills in Suzu."
In Wajima, 129 people attended the ceremony. The organizing committee, made up of the participants, chose "hope" as the theme. Its representative Masaharu Omiya explained, "We selected this theme because we want to be a light of hope for Wajima, which is still recovering from the disaster."
After graduating from high school, Omiya moved out of the prefecture for work. However, his love for his hometown grew stronger over time. In April 2024, he returned to Wajima and began working at Wajima City Hall. He said, "I want to help make this town a place where young people can thrive."
RELATED:
- One Year After the Noto Peninsula Earthquake and Its Fragile Lessons
- New Year's Earthquake: Disaster Resilience is a Societal Responsibility
- Picking Up the Pieces: Wajima Craftsman Returns Home to Make Beautiful Lacquerware Again
- A Special Gift from Shohei Ohtani Brings Joy to Children in Wajima
(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
