Pre-reading questions:
- What is the general election like in your country?
- Have you ever participated in a general election? Discuss.
Vocabulary:
- authorize /AW-thuh-rahyz/
- adulthood /uh-DUHLT-hood/
- equalize /EE-kwuh-lahyz/
- prohibit /proh-HIB-it/
- exploit /ik-SPLOIT/
[verb] to give official permission for something to happen
The government authorized the use of the new drug.
[noun] the state of being an adult
Paying bills is my least favorite part of adulthood.
[verb] a situation means to give everyone the same rights or opportunities
Let’s equalize the duties among all employees in this office.
[verb] to formally forbid someone from doing something
The congress pass a bill that prohibits hunting in national parks.
[verb] make use of a situation in a way considered unfair
The media should not exploit people’s natural fears.
The Cabinet has authorized the bill that lowers the age of adulthood in Japan last March 2018. This bill equalizes the legal age of marriage and lower the legal age of voting and signing of fixed-term contracts. This includes allowing 18-year-olds to have mobile phones and credit cards without their guardians’ consent. However, young adults are still prohibited to smoke, drink and gamble until they turn 20 years old.
Many people are against passing this bill for some reasons. Some argue that businesses that can benefit from this may exploit young adults. Excessive credit card purchases and being indebted on personal loans are possible examples of these problems. However, the Education Ministry, the Justice Ministry, and the Consumer Affairs Agency are planning to raise awareness about the responsibilities that goes along with the legal changes.
Many people are against passing this bill for some reasons. Some argue that businesses that can benefit from this may exploit young adults. Excessive credit card purchases and being indebted on personal loans are possible examples of these problems. However, the Education Ministry, the Justice Ministry, and the Consumer Affairs Agency are planning to raise awareness about the responsibilities that goes along with the legal changes.
Comprehension Questions:
- According to the article, what did the Cabinet approve last March 2018?
- What will happen once the age of adulthood is lowered?
- Why are some people against lowering the age of adulthood?
- When are young adults allowed to smoke, drink, and gamble?
- How can businesses benefit from this change?
Discussion Questions:
- Why do you think did the government retain the legal age to smoke, drink, and gamble?
- In your opinion, how will these changes affect Japan?
- What are the advantages in becoming an adult?
- In your opinion, what is the best age to get married?
- Do you think having your own credit card at 18 years old is a good idea? Why or why not?