Reduction of adult age

From April 1, 2022, the adult age will be 18 due to amendments to the Civil Code.

• Contracts without parental consent (legal representative)

[Example] Signing a mobile phone contract, making a loan, making a credit card, renting a living room, etc.

• Obtaining a passport valid for 10 years
• Acquisition of national qualifications such as certified public accountants, judicial scriveners, doctor's license, pharmacist's license, etc.
• Marriage
• A person with gender identity disorder undergoes a trial change in gender handling
• Acquisition of vehicles (the same as before)

• Drinking
• Smoking
• Purchase of betting tickets for horse racing and voting tickets for bicycle racing, auto racing, and boat race
• Adopting an adopted child
• Obtaining a large or medium-sized car driver's license

Quoted from "Government Public Relations Online"

In the case of minors, the contract requires the consent of the parent or guardian (legal representative), but if the minor makes a contract without the consent of the parent or guardian, the contract can be canceled (*). This is to protect minors and plays a role in deterring consumer damage to minors.

As an adult, you will be able to contract on your own, but at the same time, you will not be able to cancel your contract. Consultations from new adults who do not have protection is higher than minors.

In order to avoid consumer troubles, it is important to know the various rules and acquire the ability to carefully consider whether a contract is necessary.

※In some cases, contracts made by minors, such as contracts with the consent of legal representative or the disposal of free property, may not be revoked (Article 5, Paragraph 1, 2 and 3 of the Civil Code).

Please consult with the Yokohama City Consumer Affairs Center, which is the contact point for consumer life consultation.
Consumer affairs consultation counter (link in city page)

・Reference site
Becoming an "adult" from 18 years old! It does not change with the age of adult age. (Government Public Relations Online) (external site)
"Are your child okay?" Consumer trouble targeting “18 years old” (Kanagawa Prefecture) (outside site)

・Reference link
Gathering to celebrate 20-year-old citizens (City of Yokohama, Board of Education Secretariat Secretariat Lifelong Learning and Cultural Properties Division)