The Coming of Age Ceremony was held in 2024

On January 8, 2024 (Monday, public holiday), the Coming of Age Ceremony was held at Yomiuriland Aurora Space, with a total of 768 attendees, including 733 residents of Inagi City (out of 974 eligible individuals) and 35 non-residents who wished to attend the ceremony.
During the ceremony, video letters from teachers of each junior high school, a speech by the Mayor of Inagi City, congratulatory remarks from the Chairperson of the Inagi City Council, and a congratulatory video letter from former Takarazuka Revue member Maki Nanao were presented.
Additionally, thanks to the sponsorship from many companies and organizations, the event was held grandly.
A lottery was also held for the first time in four years, and the venue was filled with excitement.
We would like to introduce the companies and organizations that sponsored the Coming of Age Ceremony, as well as share the impressions of the 8 committee members.

Due Date

January 8, 2024 (Monday, Holiday)

Venue

Yomiuri Land Aurora Space

Time

Morning Session

Reception: From 10 AM
Ceremony: From 11 AM
Target School Districts: Inagi Dai 1 Junior High School, Inagi Dai 3 Junior High School, Inagi Dai 4 Junior High School

Afternoon Session

Reception: 12:30 PM
Ceremony: 1:30 PM
Target School Districts: Inagi Dai 2 Junior High School, Inagi Dai 5 Junior High School, Inagi Dai 6 Junior High School

Program

Ceremony

• Opening Movie (Video Letters from Teachers of Each Junior High School)
• Moment of Silence
• National Anthem Singing
• Opening Remarks by the Mayor of Inagi City, Katsuhiro Takahashi
• Congratulatory Address by the Representative of Guests: Kenichi Kitahama, Chairperson of the Inagi City Council
• Congratulatory Message from Maki Nanao, Former Takarazuka Revue Member (Video Letter)
• Introduction of Sponsoring Companies and Organizations
• Lottery
• Greeting from the Representative of Adults Chairperson of The Coming of Age Ceremony Execution Committee Ayaka Saito

Companies and organizations that have sponsored us (in alphabetical order)

• Japanese Fish Pub Baigetsu
• Ohtani Shoten Co., Ltd.
• Confectionery Shop Miyoshi
• Yano Kuchi Kindergarten, Children's Forest Educational Institution
• Tokyo Aoba Academy Aoba Kindergarten
• Tokyo Nashi no Mi Gakuen Rika Kindergarten
• Coach and Four Wakabadai Store
• Higashi Nursery Association
• Chateraise Inagi Store
• Starbucks Coffee Inagi Higashi-Naganuma Store
• TV Asahi Wakabadai Media Center
• Tokyo Verdy Co., Ltd.
• Tokyo Minami Agricultural Cooperative (JA Tokyo Minami) Inagi Branch
• Dohtonbori Inagi Store
• Yomiuri Giants Co., Ltd.
• Yomiuri Land Co., Ltd.
• In total, we received sponsorship from 16 companies and organizations.
• The donated items were carefully drawn in a lottery and delivered to all the winners.
• We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the companies and organizations that have supported us.

From the Coming of Age Ceremony Executive Committee: "After the Coming of Age Ceremony"

We received feedback from the members of the Coming of Age Ceremony Executive Committee who were involved in the planning and operation of the ceremony for about six months.

Ayuka Saito (Chairperson, Inagi Dai 1 Junior High School graduate)

This year, we had 8 committee members, and our activities were somewhat biased towards our respective junior high schools, but I am very pleased to have received many compliments from various people. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone, including the Lifelong Learning Division, who cooperated in holding the ceremony.
Above all, being able to work together with this group for six months towards the ceremony is a great asset for me. I want to cherish my connections not only with old friends but also with these 7 members in the future.

Akari Okazaki (Vice Chairperson and Moderator, from Inagi Dai 3 Junior High School)

I was born and raised here in Inagi City for twenty years, and the past six months have been the busiest time so far. Although I anticipated it, I took on the role of committee member because I believed in the words of others that the regret of not doing something is greater than the regret of doing it. Through interactions with external parties, I realized how difficult the Japanese language is, and I felt a bit nervous speaking in front of people, but it was an important experience gained precisely because I took on the challenge.
I plan to pass down the experience of juggling the roles of Vice Chairperson and moderator to future generations. Thank you very much.

Ayana Endo (Public Relations Officer, Inagi Dai 3 Junior High School Graduate)

Thank you very much for allowing me to be involved as a committee member in the Coming of Age Ceremony, a significant milestone in life. I am very happy to have had the valuable experience of collaborating with people from different junior high schools to create something together. Through the activities of the committee, I was able to once again feel the kindness and warmth of the local community in Inagi City.
Additionally, as someone who aims to become a childcare worker in the future, I want to grow into an adult who can contribute to society and Inagi City, so that children can confidently say, "I love the area where I live."

Mr. O Yanagisawa (Public Relations Officer, Inagi Dai 3 Junior High School Graduate)

I believe we successfully carried out The Coming of Age Ceremony execution committee and created a very wonderful ceremony. The activities of the committee began in July, and I experienced many things. I was able to visit my alma mater and greet the teachers who took great care of me during my junior high school life. On the day of the ceremony, I reunited with old friends and was able to share memories.
Furthermore, it was a ceremony that made me acutely aware of my entry into adulthood. It was a very good experience. Thank you very much.

Yuma Kaneko (Video Production Staff, Inagi Dai 4 Junior High School Graduate)

The successful Coming-of-Age Ceremony, after more than six months of preparation, is a lifelong memory. I am happy to have had many valuable opportunities that I usually wouldn't experience, such as meeting my mentors and filming videos, as well as requesting sponsorships.
I would like to continue to have experiences that involve management in the future.

Mr. Kyoko Kitamura (Video Production Staff, Inagi Dai 4 Junior High School Graduate)

First of all, I am very happy to have had such a valuable experience at a once-in-a-lifetime ceremony.
During the executive committee meetings, while reminiscing about Inagi City and the junior high schools, it was really fun to shape each ceremony through discussions with everyone. I believe there were various inconveniences caused, but with a lot of support, I think the actual ceremony turned out to be very fulfilling.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the Lifelong Learning Division, the executive committee members, as well as the companies and teachers who cooperated.

Yasuyo Suzuki (Video Production Staff, Inagi Dai 4 Junior High School Graduate)

I thought that through this ceremony, I would become a more responsible adult. In reality, it has become no different from my middle school days, leaving me questioning whether I have truly become the twenty-year-old I once envisioned.
However, if gaining such experiences is what it means to become an adult, then perhaps I am growing little by little. I am very happy to have been able to be involved in such an opportunity, and I feel grateful to my fellow committee members and those who supported us.

Shuya Soeno (Host - Inagi Dai 4 Junior High School Graduate)

At first, I felt that making appointments with schools and companies was a bit of a hassle, but as the ceremony approached, I couldn't help but feel excited. On the day of the event, I was the host, and I was really happy to be able to fulfill my role and contribute to creating a ceremony worthy of celebrating turning 20. Working together with others can be challenging, but I have learned once again that the joy when it pays off is exceptional.
From now on, I want to keep this feeling in mind and take on various challenges, aiming to become a person who can find true joy beyond hardships.