The 20th birthday ceremony for the 7th year of Reiwa was held.

On January 13, 2025 (Monday, public holiday), a Coming of Age ceremony was held at Yomiuri Land Aurora Space, attended by a total of 787 people, including 750 residents of Inagi City (out of 1,025 eligible individuals) and 37 non-residents who wished to attend the Inagi City Coming of Age ceremony.
Following the screening of the opening movie (video letters from teachers of each junior high school) and an opening attraction by Koyu, the ceremony included a speech by the Mayor of Inagi City and congratulatory remarks from the Chairperson of the Inagi City Council. Additionally, video letters of congratulations were presented from Mr. Kazuchi Miyamoto, the coach of the Yomiuri Giants women's team and Inagi City Tourism Ambassador, Mr. Daisuke Motoki, principal of the Giants Academy, and Mr. Yoshinobu Takahashi, former manager of the Yomiuri Giants and sports advisor for Yomiuri Shimbun.
Furthermore, thanks to the sponsorship from many companies and organizations, the event was held grandly.
A lottery for sponsored items was also conducted, 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 10 committee members.

Due Date

January 13, 2025 (Monday, Holiday)

Venue

Yomiuri Land Aurora Space

Time

Morning Session

Reception starts at 10:00 AM
Opening movie starts at 10:10 AM
Opening attraction starts at 10:45 AM
Ceremony from 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM
Target school districts: Inagi City Dai 1 Junior High School, Inagi City Dai 3 Junior High School, Inagi City Dai 4 Junior High School

Afternoon Session

12:30 PM - Reception
12:40 PM - Opening Movie
1:15 PM - Opening Attraction
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM - Ceremony
Target School Districts: Inagi City Dai 2 Junior High School, Inagi City Dai 5 Junior High School, Inagi City Dai 6 Junior High School

Program

Opening

Opening Movie (Video Letters from Teachers of Each Junior High School)

Opening Attraction (Taiko performance by the Taiko group "Koyu")

Ceremony

National Anthem Singing

City 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

Words of Congratulations (Video Letter)

　・Yomiuri Giants Women's Team Manager・Inagi City Tourism Ambassador Kazuchika Miyamoto

　・Yomiuri Giants Academy Principal Daisuke Motoki

　・Yomiuri Shimbun Sports Advisor・Former Manager of Yomiuri Giants, Yoshinobu Takahashi

Introduction of Sponsoring Companies and Organizations

Lottery

Greeting from the Adult Representative Chairperson of the 20th Anniversary Ceremony Executive Committee, Mitsu Sasaki

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

• Umegetsu Fish Shop
• Inagi Natural Hot Spring Kinosai
• Confectionery Shop Miyoshi
• Ozaki Electric Co., Ltd.
• Yano Kuchi Kindergarten, Children's Forest Educational Institution
• Komazawa Gakuen Educational Institution
• Tokyo Aoba Academy Aoba Kindergarten
• Tokyo Nashi no Mi Gakuen Rika Kindergarten
• Hanano Oka Gakuen School Corporation Hanabusa Kindergarten
• Ohtani Shoten Co., Ltd.
• Coach and Four Wakabadai Store
• Komakusa Kindergarten
• Social Welfare Corporation Inagi Aobakai Shiroyama Nursery School
• Social Welfare Corporation Higashi Nursery School Hongo Yushi Nursery School
• Social Welfare Corporation Higashi Nursery School Matsuba Nursery School
• Chateraise Inagi Store
• Shoya Yanokuchi Store
• New Japan Kickboxing Association Ibaraki Dojo Inagi Gym
• Starbucks Coffee Higashi-Naganuma Store
• Underground Dining & Cafe Tsudoi
• TV Asahi Wakabadai Media Center
• Tokyo Verdy Co., Ltd.
• Tokyo South Agricultural Cooperative Inagi Branch
• Mizutondori Inagi Store
• Yomiuri Giants Co., Ltd.
• Yomiuri Land Hanakage no Yu
• Yomiuri Land Co., Ltd.

We received sponsorship from 27 companies and organizations.
The sponsored items were distributed to the winners after a strict lottery.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the companies and organizations that sponsored us.

From the 20th Anniversary Ceremony Executive Committee: "After the 20th Anniversary Ceremony"

We received feedback from the twenty-year-old ceremony committee members who were involved in the planning and operation of the ceremony for about six months.

Hikaru Sasaki (Chairperson, Graduated from Inagi Fifth Junior High School)

　I am truly moved to have successfully completed the ceremony. During my representative speech, memories from the past twenty years came flooding back, and I was filled with gratitude for those who have supported me and my friends. As a representative of the adults of Inagi City, I will live proudly and become an adult who can turn dreams into reality.

　Once again, this wonderful ceremony is thanks to the Lifelong Learning Division and everyone who cooperated in the preparations. Thank you very much.

Koto Hasegawa (Vice Chairperson, from Inagi Fifth Junior High School)

　After the 20th anniversary ceremony, the first thing I felt was gratitude. I realized once again that this ceremony could only be held thanks to the cooperation of many people, including everyone from the executive committee who prepared together for the past six months, everyone from the Lifelong Learning Division, those who managed the ceremony, and all the residents of Inagi who participated in the event. Participating as a vice executive committee member has become a lifelong memory for me.

　I would like to express my gratitude once again to everyone who was involved in the holding of the ceremony. Thank you very much.

Yuna Miyaji (Host, from Inagi First Junior High School)

　I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be involved as an executive committee member in the coming-of-age ceremony, which happens only once in a lifetime. There were times when it was challenging to balance this with my personal life, but on the day of the event, I received many "thank you!" messages from people, and I felt from the bottom of my heart that it was worth doing.

　Through this experience, I once again realized the joy of working together to create something. I want to continue moving forward without forgetting the spirit of challenging myself in everything.
Thank you very much.

Yuma Kozaki (Public Relations and Video Officer, Inagi Second Junior High School Graduate)

　Being able to serve as a committee member for the Coming of Age Ceremony was a valuable experience. From the preparation stage to the day of the ceremony, we worked together and deepened our bonds with each other. There were challenges, but I will never forget the sense of accomplishment when we successfully completed the ceremony. Seeing the smiles of the participants made me feel the significance of my involvement as a committee member.

　I want to leverage this experience and continue to grow from here on.

Kona Matsuo (Host, from Inagi Second Junior High School)

　I am very happy to have gained valuable experiences at this milestone of turning 20 years old. Through this activity, I felt the warmth of the local people and the friends I have been preparing with, and I realized that the time I have spent in Inagi is more precious than ever. Additionally, through reuniting with old friends, I felt that I was able to regain my genuine self from back then, and I once again recognized the importance of connections with others.

　Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who worked hard to hold the ceremony. Thank you very much.

Reiko Adachi (Public Relations and Video Officer, Inagi Third Junior High School Graduate)

　Thank you for allowing me to be deeply involved as a committee member in the once-in-a-lifetime event of the coming-of-age ceremony. My motivation to participate was an invitation from a friend, but the past six months of gathering every month and working hard to make it the best ceremony that everyone will remember were very enjoyable and fulfilling days for me.

　I am filled with gratitude for the warmth of the local people and the committee members who worked together. Thank you for the valuable experience.

Aimi Kitamura (Public Relations and Video Officer, Inagi Third Junior High School Graduate)

　I believe that through our activities as the executive committee, we were able to create a ceremony for our 20th anniversary by collaborating with various people. Our activities started in July, and I am very happy to have had the valuable experience with everyone in the executive committee until the end. There were feelings that could only be experienced by being part of the executive committee, such as the warmth of the people and the tension when making requests for sponsorship.

　It was a ceremony that made us aware of the responsibility we must hold as members of the adult community. I want to cherish the people I met in Inagi and become an adult who can contribute to society from now on. Thank you very much.

Mr. Kaisei Saku (Moderator, from Inagi Fifth Junior High School)

　As I participated as a member of the Coming of Age Ceremony Committee, I strongly felt a sense of pride and responsibility towards reaching adulthood. Until then, I had only thought, 'I'll be twenty next year, so I can drink alcohol,' but through discussions with the committee members, I developed a sense of gratitude towards my relatives and the local community who have supported me, and I also felt a sense of tension regarding my future life.

　I want to face responsibilities and challenges head-on, enjoy the adult life that is about to begin with all my might, and lead a fulfilling daily life.

Takuma Matsuoka (Public Relations and Video Officer, Inagi Fifth Junior High School Graduate)

　Thanks to everyone, especially the Lifelong Learning Division, we were able to successfully hold the ceremony. I am truly happy to have been able to sincerely engage as an executive committee member in this precious event that happens only once in a lifetime, the coming-of-age ceremony. Over the past six months since the first executive committee meeting in early July last year, I have spent more time with my beloved friends in Inagi, and I have really enjoyed fulfilling days.

　I would like to express my deep gratitude to everyone who was involved in the preparation of the ceremony, and to all those who participated on the day.

Miytoku Sasaki (Moderator, Komazawa Gakuen Women's Junior High School Graduate)

　Last summer, I received a request from the Inagi City Board of Education to be a member of the organizing committee for the 20th anniversary ceremony. It was my mother's words that encouraged me when I was hesitant. Even though we came from different schools, we were able to quickly bond and cooperate with each other in the committee, sharing the same goal. I also realized how much I have been supported by various people, including my mentors and local community members, throughout my life.

　I am grateful for the opportunity to have such a valuable experience at this milestone in my life, and I would like to continue to cherish the connections with others.