How old do you have to be to drink in Japan? (2024)

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.

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.

How old do you have to be to drink in Japan? (2024)

FAQs

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

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 you drink at 18 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.

Is 13+ considered a minor in Japan? ›

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 go to a bar at 18 in Japan? ›

The legal drinking age in Japan is 20. While this age differs from country by country, as long as you're over 20 years of age, you're free to drink in Japan. (Just be sure to bring your passport with you for ID.) As in many other countries, people under the legal age of 20 also cannot purchase alcohol.

What is China's drinking age? ›

Since China's underage drinking regulation was passed in 2006, the legal drinking age in the country has been 18. However, on any given Friday or Saturday evening in Beijing, kids from as young as 14 flock to nightclubs and bars in the city's Sanlitun and Gulou neighbourhoods.

What is the lowest drinking age in the world? ›

In fact, 64 percent of the world's nations have legal drinking ages of 18. The youngest legal drinking age in the world is 15, with both Mali and the Central African Republic allowing folks to drink at that time.

Can a 30 year old date a 13 year old in Japan? ›

'The age of consent in Japan is 13 years old. The age of consent refers to the minimum age at which a person is considered to be capable of giving consent to sexual acts. '

What do Japanese find attractive? ›

What are the common modern Japanese beauty standards? Modern Japanese beauty standards tend toward light, flawless skin, a slim, petite figure, slender legs, and a quiet personality—although those “standards” change over time and may be largely ignored by future generations.

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.

Do clubs in Japan check ID? ›

Places like live houses and gaijin clubs may or may not card, but the better clubs do consistently id. Both Womb and AgeHa's websites state that people over 20 need to show photo id with your birthdate to enter, but are unclear if they'll accept foreign driver's licenses (although a quick websearch implies they might).

What age can you marry 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.

What age is 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.

What country can u drink at 13? ›

Around the world, the age when it's legal to purchase or be served most alcohol products varies from 13 in Burkina Faso to 25 in Eritrea.

What age can you drink in Russia? ›

In Russia, the legal drinking age is usually eighteen. Usually, because there are some exceptions to that case. Technically, stronger alcohol such as cognac and vodka is sold only to those over 21.

What is Germany's drinking age? ›

Belgium, Denmark and Germany set 16 years as the minimum age for purchasing beverages containing less than 1.2 % of distilled alcohol and 18 years for buying spirits (more than 1.2 % of distilled alcohol). Sweden set the minimum age for purchasing beverages with more than 3.5 % of alcohol at 20 years.

What country has no drinking age? ›

However, Angola (except Luanda Province), Central African Republic, Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, and Togo have no laws on the books restricting the sale of alcohol to minors. In Libya, Somalia and Sudan the sale, production and consumption of alcohol is completely prohibited.

Why is the US drinking age so high? ›

The legal drinking age was set to 21 years of age because studies showed that the leading cause of death of people age 1 to 34 accounted for one third of deaths due to unintentional injury from alcohol consumption.

What countries have no age of consent? ›

In Cyprus, Ireland, Mexico, and Nauru, one cannot legally agree to a sexual relationship before they attain 17 years. 40 other countries, among them Kenya, Iraq, Nicaragua, Vatican City, Vietnam, Argentina, Rwanda, India, and Guatemala, outlaw sexual activities with partners who are below 18 years.

What age is 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.

What age can you go clubbing in Japan? ›

Minimum age

Firstly, you will need to be 20 years old to enter most night clubs or bars in Japan. 20 is the minimum legal age to smoke or drink alcohol.

Why is the age of consent in Japan 13? ›

Now, after I received a quick 101 in Japanese law, it's more obvious that Japan's age of consent is left intentionally ambiguous. Under the Juvenile Obscene Acts, passed in 1947, no one over the age of 14 can have sex with 13–14 year-olds. The minimum sentence for sex with any female under the age of 13 is five-years.

What is the legal smoking age in Japan? ›

Since 1876, the smoking age in Japan has been 20. Although the age of majority was lowered from 20 to 18 in 2022, the smoking age will remain at 20.

Can you marry a 13 year old in Japan? ›

Who Can 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.

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