Drinking Age in Japan

What is the legal drinking age in Japan?

The legal drinking age in Japan is 20 years old as of 2023.

In Japan, the age of majority under civil law was lowered to 18 in April 2022, but the minimum age for alcohol consumption, i.e., the legal drinking age, remains 20. Japanese law not only prohibits the consumption of alcohol by those under 20 years of age, but also prohibits their parents and establishments from serving alcoholic beverages to those under 20.

Under 20 years old:

Underage drinking is prohibited by the Law on the Prohibition of Drinking Alcohol by Minors.

Parents:

Parents have the duty and responsibility to deter underage drinking.

Stores that handle alcoholic beverages:

A vendor who deals in alcoholic beverages can be punished if he/she sells or gives alcoholic beverages to a person under 20 years of age or sells alcoholic beverages knowing that a person under 20 years of age will drink those beverages. In addition, under the provisions of the Liquor Tax Law, the license to sell alcoholic beverages may be revoked.

With the lowering of the age of majority, those who are 18 or 19 years old will be treated as adults and will be able to do a variety of things. On the other hand, even if the age of majority is 18, the age limit for drinking and smoking remains 20. This minimum age was set due to factors such as health effects, prevention of delinquency, and protection of youth.

Is Japan strict on drinking age?

In recent years, Japan has become increasingly strict when it comes to enforcing the legal drinking age. Nowadays, it is common for establishments serving alcoholic beverages to request identification to verify a person’s age. This stricter approach is driven by a growing awareness of the importance of responsible alcohol consumption and compliance with the law. However, it is interesting to note that in the 1980s, the enforcement of age restrictions on alcohol consumption was not as stringent. During that time, as long as an individual appeared to be over 18, it was generally socially accepted for them to consume alcohol. This shift in societal norms and the tightening of regulations reflects a broader emphasis on safeguarding the well-being and protection of young individuals, while also promoting a culture of responsible drinking.

What you can do once you turn 18 (legal age of majority)

• Sign contracts without parental consent
• Sign a contract for a cell phone
• Take out a loan
• Get a credit card
• Rent a room to live alone, etc.
• Obtain a passport valid for 10 years
• Obtain national certifications such as CPA, judicial scrivener, medical license, pharmacist license, etc.
• Get married

The marriageable age for women was raised from 16 to 18. Now both men and women must be 18 in order to get married.

Persons with gender identity disorder can undergo a gender reassignment hearing.

*Any person “over the age of 18” can obtain a regular driver’s license as before.

What you cannot do before the age of 20.

Things that have not changed.

• Drink alcohol
• Smoke cigarettes
• Buy tickets for horse racing, bicycle racing, auto racing, or boat racing
• Adopt a child
• Obtain a large or medium-sized automobile driver’s license (must be at least 21 years old to obtain a large automobile driver’s license)

Drinking age in Japan in the 80’s

While IDs are often requested nowadays at facilities that serve alcoholic beverages, in the 1980’s or 1990’s, things were less strict. Restaurants and bars served alcoholic beverages to minors unless they clearly looked under 18. College students used to drink with teachers if they were over 18. Even today, bar hostesses drink alcohol even if they are minors.

The legal drinking age in the 1980’s and 1990’s in Japan was 20.

The drinking age remains 20 even though the age of majority changed to 18

According to a survey conducted by the Beer Brewers Association, a group of beer manufacturers, approximately 15% of all Japanese people did not know that drinking alcohol is prohibited when one is under the age of 20, even though the age of majority was lowered.

In response to this, in April 2022, the Beer Brewers Association conducted a campaign jointly with approximately 62,000 convenience stores and supermarkets nationwide to call for the prevention of drinking by those under 20 years of age.

Legal Drinking Age for foreigners in Japan

Some tourists might be wondering if the legal drinking age of 18 applies to foreigners and tourists in Japan. The legal drinking age in Japan is the same even if you are an expat resident or a tourist.

Conclusion

The legal drinking age in Japan is 20 years old, regardless of one’s nationality or residency status. While the age of majority under civil law was recently lowered to 18, the minimum age for alcohol consumption remains 20. The strict regulations surrounding underage drinking in Japan prohibit not only the consumption of alcohol by individuals under 20 but also the serving of alcoholic beverages to them by their parents or establishments. These regulations are in place to prioritize factors such as health effects, prevention of delinquency, and the protection of youth.

Although the lowering of the age of majority grants individuals aged 18 and 19 various rights and responsibilities, the age limit for drinking and smoking remains at 20. While the enforcement of age restrictions has become more stringent over the years, with establishments often requesting identification, in the past, the regulations were less strict, and alcohol was served to minors unless they clearly appeared to be under 18.

To address the lack of awareness regarding the prohibition of underage drinking following the lowering of the age of majority, the Beer Brewers Association launched a campaign in collaboration with numerous convenience stores and supermarkets nationwide. The aim of this campaign was to raise awareness and prevent drinking by individuals under the age of 20.

It is important for both residents and tourists in Japan to be aware of and adhere to the legal drinking age of 20. Whether one is a local citizen, an expat resident, or a visitor, the same regulations apply to all individuals within the country’s borders. By respecting and following these regulations, we can contribute to a safe and responsible drinking culture in Japan.