Japanese Title (邦題)： 「門出をみんなで祝いませんか？」末尾に
Can You Celebrate?
Congratulation to young people in the World and Kitakyushu, who are 20 years old this year!
On Sunday, the middle of 3 days holiday “the Coming of Age Day”, the city of Kitakyushu held a big ceremony for young generation who is 20 years old now.
(In Japan, 20-years-old is called as HATACHI. And it is the first age as an adult.)
I heard that they’ve prepared for this day by spending big amount of money.
Ceremony was held at Kitakyushu Media Dome (Dome for Bicycle race track).
After watching several flags they waved, I understand that they make group based on Middle school territory. As they shout their area name continuously, we can feel that they are purely loving their home town.
Because of their strong love to their home town, there was moments that they almost start big fighting between several team. But they controlled their emotions each other and that made us feel very positive about how they look like.
Nowadays, only stock market and financial statement of big companies seem like in bubble condition, but we can feel that young generation want to have bubble even in local small town, with seeing this.
This is a good opportunity for the city of Kitakyushu to promote the power of young generation to the public and the world, as mass-media is interested in them on the day very much.
Local government can make this power to this Kitakyushu version Carnival (of Rio) with small amount of cost.
Most of all media are interested in their opinions and dreams toward their own future and kept asking similar questions. So young people should have a honorable stage to shout what they think about future and the city of Kitakyushu can make them to do it. (It can be difficult if older generation force them to do it.)
If Kitakyushu also allow young people (20 years old) from foreign countries, the reputation will go up very much and some of them may want to live here.
I also see another characteristic of young generation at Media Dome which is 20-years-old mothers and fathers.
We cannot help wishing their future life, parenting environment and families they establish will be enough wealthy and happy.
Thank you and you have a wonderful and peaceful day, which lead to your children and future.
If the ceremony was like this, when I was 20 years old, I think that I came back from Tokyo to this town.
from Yassan,
Manager of a Little Guesthouse under a Little Lighthouse TOUKA
( http://touka-kanmon.com )
門出をみんなで祝いませんか？
世界中の二十歳に、そして北九州の二十歳にも成人の日が来ました。
おめでとうございます。
成人の日の連休の中日、日曜に開催されるわが街の成人式は今やマスメディアも注目する一大イベントです。
聞いた話では若者たちはひと財産投げ打って、この晴れの日のための準備をするそうです。
会場は北九州メディア・ドーム。
ノボリや大旗を見ていると、彼らは「エリア」「中学」単位でまとまっていて、出身地名を連呼する姿には生粋の郷土愛を感じます。
その郷土愛が強すぎて、一時喧嘩になりそうな瞬間もありましたが、それも自分たちで収拾させるほど健全に盛り上がっていて、好感の持てるイベントだと感心します。
株価と大企業の財務諸表だけがバブルの様相をみせる今日この頃。実は街角（景気）も若者も「バブル」を求めているんだなと実感しました。
メディアも注目するせっかくの機会。行政も彼らのための「晴れ舞台」をきちんと作ってあげてはどうでしょう。北九州版（リオの）カーニバルともいえるような年に一度のお祭りにしてあげたいと感じるのは自分だけではないと思います。
見ているとメディアも彼らが「将来どういう人間になりたいか」をしきりにインタビューしていて、それならいっそ大舞台でそんな北九州っ子の主張をさせてあげてはどうかと感じました。（大人が準備すると反発する世代なので難しいとは思いますが、、、） そしてせっかくなら多様性を受け入れる都市らしく、年齢確認を条件に、海外からの二十歳の参加も歓迎すれば「好感度」もアップするに違いありません。
中には子連れで参加している二十歳も少なくなくて、そんな一面にも地元らしさ、地方らしさが見られます。
彼らのこれからの人生が、そして子育てする環境が、築いていく家庭が、豊かで幸せに満ちたものであることを祈ってやみません。
それでは、どうぞ子どもたちにそして未来に紡がれていく平和で素敵な一日を！
P.S. 二十歳の時に成人式がこんな感じだったなら、自分も絶対に東京から戻ってきただろうなぁ。
灯台下のちいさいゲストハウス「灯火」宿主 やっさん より
( http://touka-kanmon.com )
