TOKYO - Japan celebrates its annual Coming of Age Day Monday with a record-low 1.22 million people who turn 20 this year.
The number of new adults declines for the fifth consecutive year and falls for the first time below half of the peak in 1970, when the number hit 2.46 million.
Among those who turn 20 this year, 620,000 are male and 600,000 are female. The total comprises 0.96 percent of Japan's whole population, according to statistics by the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry.
Ceremonies were held nationwide with girls dressed up in kimonos to celebrate the national Coming of Age holiday, which falls on every second Monday of January.
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Women in kimonos pose for a photo during their Coming of Age Day event in Chiba, Japan, on Jan 9, 2012. The event is held annually on the second weekend of January to congratulate all those who have reached the age of 20. [Photo/Xinhua]
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