Japanese society has a deep-rooted culture of imbibing alcohol, a practice that serves as a social lubricant, fostering both personal and business relationships. Drinking parties, held at izakayas (Japanese-style pubs) and restaurants, are commonplace, bridging social and business ties. A tradition so significant that the Japanese have coined the term “nominication,” a portmanteau of “nomu,” the Japanese word for drinking, and the English word “communication.” However, this drinking culture is strictly regulated by laws to prevent underage consumption.
The Legal Drinking Age
Contrary to the legal drinking age in many countries being 18, in Japan, individuals are legally permitted to consume and purchase alcohol from the age of 20. Established in 1922, the law is rooted in the cultural transition of Japanese youths into adulthood. Upon turning 20, young Japanese individuals are recognized as adults in the societal context, a milestone celebrated with new liberties, including the legal right to drink, smoke, gamble, drive, and visit hostess bars. Hop over to this website to learn further about legal drinking age in Japan.
Alcohol is omnipresent in Japanese society, with hard spirits readily available at konbini (convenience stores), which operate around the clock. As a compliance measure, customers are required to provide an ID card to purchase alcohol. Breaching this rule could result in a formal reprimand.
Underage Drinking Challenges
Despite these well-established regulations, underage drinking continues to be an issue in Japan. A survey titled “Young People’s Drinking Behavior in Japan” revealed that alcohol consumption starts to increase when Japanese adolescents enter high school. Roughly 50% of junior high school students and 70% of senior high school students have had some experience with alcohol. This challenge is further exacerbated by boys exhibiting more drinking problems, such as fighting, hangovers, and blackouts.
The lax implementation of age verification checks at shopping centers and stores has inadvertently facilitated underage drinking. In some cases, cashiers no longer request age confirmation from certain customers, despite Japanese laws that dictate otherwise. This lack of age verification checks is partly due to Japanese societal norms of politeness and courtesy, where asking for proof of age is seen as offensive.
Additionally, the availability of alcohol from vending machines, although decreasing, and easy access to alcohol at home further encourage underage drinking.
Impacts and Solutions
The easy drinkability of local Japanese drinks like Chuhai and Sake, combined with the lack of severe penalties for underage drinkers, indirectly promote these illicit activities. However, while it may not result in arrest, underage drinking could lead to the inclusion of the offender’s data into the national system, notifying their legal guardians, schools, or workplaces about their illicit activities. Such a record could potentially influence future disciplinary actions.
Those under the legal drinking age who wish to drink can apply for a special “drinking license” from their local government office. This allows them to consume alcohol at certain licensed establishments, such as bars and restaurants, with parental permission.
Despite the challenges posed by underage drinking, Japanese society is largely in agreement about the importance of waiting until adulthood to consume alcohol responsibly. Therefore, while navigating Japan’s vibrant drinking culture, both residents and visitors must respect the country’s legal drinking age of 20 to fully enjoy the “nominication” experience without the fear of legal repercussions.
Japanese society has a deep-rooted culture of imbibing alcohol, a practice that serves as a social lubricant, fostering both personal and business relationships. Drinking parties, held at izakayas (Japanese-style pubs) and restaurants, are commonplace, bridging social and business ties. A tradition so significant that the Japanese have coined the term “nominication,” a portmanteau of “nomu,” the Japanese word for drinking, and the English word “communication.” However, this drinking culture is strictly regulated by laws to prevent underage consumption.
