Fukushima coming of age ceremony outside hometown

Fukushima coming of age ceremony outside hometown




More than 20 young people who once lived in the no-entry and evacuation zones near Japan's damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant celebrated their 'Coming-of-Age Day' on Monday.

Japanese are legally considered adults when they turn 20, which is when they can vote, smoke, and drink.

People from Katsurao in Fukushima Prefecture are not allowed to go home, so attendees of this year's ceremony gathered in a hotel in Miharu. About 60 percent of Katsurao's population is living in temporary housing in the town.

The ceremony started with a moment of silence to pay respect to the people who died in the March 11th earthquake and tsunami.

Then the head of Katsurao, Masahide Matsumoto, spoke. He said he hopes young people feel "unity" with their community and are proud they are from Katsurao, even though all of the village's residents can't live there right now.

Shogo Matsumoto, a university student representing the new adults, said all of them are willing to contribute to society, despite the hardship, so they can build a brighter future and repay their hometown.

The new adults entertained themselves with happy memories of their primary and junior-high school age while watching a video of the time.

A woman who participated in the 'Coming-of-Age Day' said it is regrettable she and her friends couldn't hold the ceremony in their hometown. But she said she is glad everybody was able to take part in the event.

Japan's 'Coming-of-Age Day' is usually celebrated on the second Monday of January, but the village of Katsurao has traditionally held the event on January 2nd. The date is convenient for many young people who return home for the holidays from Tokyo and other places.

Monday, January 02, 2012 22:40 +0900 (JST

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http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120102_15.html

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