The Japanese government has approved a proposal to lower the age of adulthood from 20 to 18. <br /> It paves the way for 18- and 19-year-olds to get married and sign contracts without the consent of their parents. <br />However they will still need to wait until they are 20 to smoke, drink or gamble. <br />The proposed bill will need to be voted on in parliament and, if endorsed, will take effect in 2022.<br />It would change the definition of an adult under the Civil Code for the first time since the late 19th century. <br />
