Young adults leave a venue after celebrating the Coming-of-Age Day, a centuries-old tradition and national holiday marking the milestone from childhood to adulthood, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Yokohama near Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Young adults leave a venue after celebrating the Coming-of-Age Day, a centuries-old tradition and national holiday marking the milestone from childhood to adulthood, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Yokohama near Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Young adults arrive at a venue to celebrate the Coming-of-Age Day, a centuries-old tradition and national holiday marking the milestone from childhood to adulthood, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Yokohama near Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Kimono-clad women are checked at a security checkpoint as they arrive to celebrate the Coming-of-Age Day, a centuries-old tradition and national holiday marking the milestone from childhood to adulthood, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Yokohama near Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A young adult with hair ornament takes a photo, during a ceremony of the Coming-of-Age Day, a centuries-old tradition and national holiday marking the milestone from childhood to adulthood, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Yokohama near Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Young adults walk at a venue to celebrate the Coming-of-Age Day, a centuries-old tradition and national holiday marking the milestone from childhood to adulthood, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Yokohama near Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Two young men stand side by side, one wearing traditional zori sandals and tabi socks and the other in dress shoes, chat before celebrating the Coming-of-Age Day, a centuries-old tradition and national holiday making the milestone from childhood to adulthood, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Yokohama near Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Young adults pause after marking the Coming-of-Age Day, a centuries-old tradition and national holiday marking the milestone from childhood to adulthood, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Yokohama near Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Young adults attend the ceremony to celebrate the Coming-of-Age Day, a centuries-old tradition and national holiday marking the milestone from childhood to adulthood, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Yokohama near Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko).
Young adults leave a venue after celebrating the Coming-of-Age Day, a centuries-old tradition and national holiday marking the milestone from childhood to adulthood, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Yokohama near Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Young adults arrive at a venue to celebrate the Coming-of-Age Day, a centuries-old tradition and national holiday marking the milestone from childhood to adulthood, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Yokohama near Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Young adults with kimono walk to celebrate the Coming-of-Age Day, a centuries-old tradition and national holiday marking the milestone from childhood to adulthood, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Yokohama near Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Young adults arrive to celebrate the Coming-of-Age Day, a centuries-old tradition and national holiday marking the milestone from childhood to adulthood, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Yokohama near Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Young adults leave a venue after marking the Coming-of-Age Day, a centuries-old tradition and national holiday marking the milestone from childhood to adulthood, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Yokohama near Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Young adults hold up their lighted mobile phones to celebrate the Coming-of-Age Day, a centuries-old tradition and national holiday marking the milestone from childhood to adulthood, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Yokohama near Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Young adults arrive at a venue to celebrate the Coming-of-Age Day, a centuries-old tradition and national holiday marking the milestone from childhood to adulthood, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Yokohama near Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A security person controls the flow of the young adults celebrate the Coming-of-Age Day, a centuries-old tradition and national holiday marking the milestone from childhood to adulthood, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Yokohama near Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Audio By Carbonatix
3:04 AM on Monday, January 12
By EUGENE HOSHIKO
YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) — Young women in brightly colored long-sleeved kimonos and young men in formal suits or traditional hakama and haori gathered Monday at Yokohama Arena to mark Coming-of-Age Day, an annual celebration for those who have turned 20.
The ceremonies, which are a widely observed public rite of passage in Japan, lasted less than an hour. Before and after the events, young adults gathered near the arena entrance, sidewalks and nearby train stations, greeting friends they had not seen for a long time. Smartphones were raised repeatedly as participants took pictures of each other and themselves.
Among the many participants wearing black and navy suits, a large number of young men chose traditional hakama trousers and haori jackets.
Legally, adulthood in Japan now begins at 18, following a revision of the Civil Code in April 2022. Even so, most local governments continue to hold Coming-of-Age ceremonies for 20-year-olds.
Inside Yokohama Arena, participants stood for the national anthem, then sang Yokohama’s city song together. Many then switched on the lights of their mobile phones, illuminating the hall.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Bloomberg Radio is the world's only global 24-hour business radio station. >>Bloomberg Radio is the world's only global 24-hour business radio station. Powered by more than 2700 journalists and analysts in more than 120 countries, Bloomberg Radio's resources are unparalleled. Because the financial markets never sleep, . . . <<
Bill Gunderson provides listeners with financial guidance that is both >>Bill Gunderson provides listeners with financial guidance that is both experienced and accomplished. As stock market volatility rises to all time high, the need for value and safety rises as well. Gunderson navigates this turbulent environment, . . . . . <<
The Investing & Trading Live Radio Show hosted by Josh and Al pulls back the >>The Investing & Trading Live Radio Show hosted by Josh and Al pulls back the curtain on how the financial markets really work. Trading for income potential or investing to become a better steward of your life savings are key topics. We will discuss . . . <<
Bloomberg Radio is the world's only global 24-hour business radio station. >>Bloomberg Radio is the world's only global 24-hour business radio station. Powered by more than 2700 journalists and analysts in more than 120 countries, Bloomberg Radio's resources are unparalleled. Because the financial markets never sleep, . . . <<
Bloomberg Radio is the world's only global 24-hour business radio station. >>Bloomberg Radio is the world's only global 24-hour business radio station. Powered by more than 2700 journalists and analysts in more than 120 countries, Bloomberg Radio's resources are unparalleled. Because the financial markets never sleep, . . . <<
Salem Media, our partners, and affiliates use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience, analyze site traffic, personalize site content, and deliver relevant video recommendations. By using this website and continuing to navigate, you consent to our use of such technologies and the sharing of video viewing activity with third-party partners in accordance with the Video Privacy Protection Act and other privacy laws.Privacy Policy
