Is 20 a special age in Japan?

[Shiroisan]

I couldn't help but notice in my textbook I'm learning Japanese from, that all ages are just their normal numbers, EXCEPT 20. Why is this? "Hatachi"?? Is this a special year for a nihonjin?

[Dustin]

Same thing happens for the 20th of the month, so I don't think that it's got a different name BECAUSE of the significance.

二十日　はつか　hatsuka 20th

The 20th birthday IS however considered to be an adult in Japan.

[Shiroisan]

Same thing happens for the 20th of the month, so I don't think that it's got a different name BECAUSE of the significance.

二十日　はつか　hatsuka 20th

The 20th birthday IS however considered to be an adult in Japan.

Interesting. Is it more of an adult-on-a-social-level sort of thing or is there actual aspects of their government/legalities that consider a 20 year old to be the offical adult age.

[becki_kanou]

In Japan 20 is legally an adult. At twenty you can vote, drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, etc. There is a special ceremony each January for the young people who have turned 20. Coming of Age Day

[AJBryant]

True.

But ultimately, it's not the AGE of 20 that is special. It's simply the NUMBER "20" that is special.