How old do you have to be to drink in Japan?

Asked by: Dr. Kaitlin Hintz  |  Last update: July 4, 2022
Score: 4.7/5 (30 votes)

In Japan, the legal adult age is 20. Japanese law prohibits individuals under the age of 20 to drink alcohol or smoke. Regardless of age, you must not force anyone to drink or smoke as it may cause serious health and social consequences.

Can 16 year olds drink in Japan?

Especially for people who hail from countries where drinking and smoking starts at 18, the age restrictions in Japan for buying and drinking alcohol, as well as the smoking age in Japan, may be surprising: You must be 20 years old and in possession of a valid ID (for foreigners, a residence card will do).

Is 16 still a minor in Japan?

In Japan, a person must reach the age of 20 to be considered an adult, and parental consent plays a significant role in legal issues affecting young people. With regard to the age of consent, this means that it is illegal to marry a person under 20 without written parental permission.

Is the legal age in Japan 13?

At 13, Japan's base age of consent is the lowest of any developed country. However, many prefectures also have local "corruption of minors" or "obscenity statutes" (淫行条例) which raise the de-facto age of consent to 16-18, unless they are in a "sincere romantic relationship", usually determined by parental consent.

Can you drink at 15 in Japan?

Japan has the second-highest drinking age in the world compared to most locations where the minimum age is 21 In Japan, you must be at least 20 years old to purchase and consume alcohol. You can use your passport for your ID at local establishments such as bars or restaurants.

Life in Japan: Underage Drinking

27 related questions found

Do Japanese bars check ID?

And yes, you need to verify your age when buying alcohol and cigarette. Japan is one of the few places where carrying your passport brings no risk of it being pick-pocketed. (Well, as long as you stay out of really dodgy bars in Tokyo where you are invited in by a tout.)

Do teens smoke in Japan?

Lifetime smokers—those having tried smoking at least once—accounted for 29.9% of boys and 16.7% of girls in the seventh grade in 1996, and for 22.5% of boys and 16.0% of girls in 2000, showing that prevalence of lifetime use has decreased among junior high school students, particularly among boys.

Where in Japan is the age of consent 13?

In both of Japan's territories, Okinotori Islands and Marcus Islands, the local age of consent is 13 years.

What is the smoking age in Japan?

Smoking is prohibited for those under the age of 20 in Japan. On campus, smoking is permitted only in designated smoking areas. Smoking is strictly prohibited inside any building.

What's a minor in Japan?

42. The Penal Code of Japan provides that an act of a person under 14 years of age is not punishable. Under the Juvenile Law of Japan, however, "juvenile" (shonen) refers to anyone under 20 years of age.

How many kids can you have in Japan?

Finally, in October 2015 the government, "to balance population development and address the challenge of an ageing population," allowed all married couples to have two children, which still attracted criticism on the grounds that the government cannot dictate how many children one can have.

What age can you get married in Japan?

Article 731 to 737 of the Japanese Civil Code stipulates the following requirements: The male partner must be 18 years of age or older and the female partner must be 18 years of age or older. A person who is under 18 years of age cannot get married in Japan without a parent's approval.

Can u vape in Japan?

In Japan, nicotine vaping products are illegal, but heated tobacco products like IQOS are completely legal and widely used. Some countries have outright bans on use and sales, others just ban sales, and some ban only nicotine-containing products.

Do girls in Japan smoke?

In 2019, about 7.6 percent of women in Japan smoked. Smoking was particularly common among women aged 50 to 59 years old. Within this age group, almost 13 percent smoked, while only three percent of women aged 70 years or older were smokers.

Can a child live alone in Japan?

Japan is considered safe, a country where kids are allowed from a very early age to be independent. Neighbors and the wider community foster this autonomy through the general acceptance that children in Japan, much more so than in other countries, are able to look after themselves.

At what age do Japanese move out?

Re: Adults living with their parents

In my country we don't have dorms but young people tend to move out of home between the ages of 18 and 22, usually into a house they share with other young people.

What is not allowed in Japan?

Japan strictly prohibits entry of narcotics and related utensils, firearms, firearm parts and ammunition, explosives and gunpowder, precursor materials for chemical weapons, germs that are likely to be used for bioterrorism, counterfeit goods or imitation coins or currency, obscene materials, or goods that violate ...

What should you not do in Japan?

If you're planning a trip to Japan, here are a few cultural faux pas you should be aware of.
  1. Don't break the rules of chopstick etiquette. ...
  2. Don't wear shoes indoors. ...
  3. Don't ignore the queuing system. ...
  4. Avoid eating on the go. ...
  5. Don't get into a bathtub before showering first. ...
  6. Don't blow your nose in public. ...
  7. Don't leave a tip.

Does Japan have curfew for minors?

Are children criminalised if they violate curfews? (1B) No. There are curfews for children but it is the responsible adult(s), and not the child, who will be penalised if they are not respected. However, children going out late at night is likely to be subject to a “protective guidance” (ho-dou) by a police officer.

Can you buy a DAB Pen at 18?

Can I Buy a Dab Pen Battery at 18? The dab pen battery is considered a vaping device that contains marijuana compounds, as a result, you can buy a product if you have reached the age of 18 or 21, depending on the state.

Is Juul available in Japan?

Japan classifies nicotine-containing e-cigarettes as pharmaceutical products and requires a license for the products to be sold in the country, the report said. No company has yet won regulatory approval.

Can I bring cigarettes to Japan?

Non-residents may bring 400 foreign cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500 grams of smoking tobacco, and, in addition, 400 Japanese cigarettes into Japan duty-free. Persons under twenty (20) years of age must pay duty on all tobacco products brought into Japan.

Is it illegal to marry your sibling in Japan?

#1 (Article 733)] Lineal relatives by blood, collateral relatives within the third degree of kinship by blood #2, may not marry, except between an adopted child and their collateral relatives by blood through adoption. #3 (Article 734) Lineal relatives by affinity may not marry.

Is cousin marriage legal in Japan?

East Asia. First-cousin marriage is allowed in Japan, though the incidence has declined in recent years. China has prohibited first-cousin marriage since 1981, although cross-cousin marriage was commonly practiced in China in the past in rural areas.

Is divorce allowed in Japan?

A: Japanese law allows for divorce either through the family court system or through a simple registration procedure at the ward office. Known in Japanese as “mutual consent divorce” (kyogi rikon), this ward office procedure can be faster and less expensive than going through the Family Court.