The Coming of Age Ceremony was held in 2024

On Monday, January 8, 2024 (public holiday), the Coming of Age Ceremony was held at Yomiuriland Aurora Space, with a total of 768 attendees, including 733 residents of the city (out of 974 eligible) and 35 non-residents who wished to attend the Inagi City Coming of Age Ceremony.
At the ceremony, video letters from former teachers of each junior high school, a congratulatory address from the Mayor of Inagi City, a congratulatory message from the Chairperson of the Inagi City Council, and a celebratory video letter from Maki Nanao, a former member of the Takarazuka Revue, were presented.
Also, thanks to the sponsorship of many companies and organizations, we were able to hold the event grandly.
For the first time in four years, a lottery event was held, and the venue was very lively.
We would like to introduce the companies and organizations that sponsored The Coming of Age Ceremony, as well as share the impressions of the eight executive committee members.

Due Date

January 8, 2024 (Monday, Holiday)

Venue

Yomiuri Land Aurora Space

Time

Morning Session

Reception from 10:00 AM
Ceremony from 11:00 AM
Applicable School Districts: Inagi Dai 1 Junior High School, Inagi Dai 3 Junior High School, Inagi Dai 4 Junior High School

Afternoon Session

Reception from 12:30 PM
Ceremony from 1:30 PM
Applicable 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 fiscal year, the executive committee consisted of eight members, with a bias toward their alma mater junior high schools, but we are very pleased to have received many words of praise. We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who cooperated in holding the ceremony, especially the Lifelong Learning Division.
Above all, being able to work together with this group for the ceremony over the past six months has been a great treasure for me. Of course, I value my old friends, but I also want to cherish the connections with these seven people from now on.

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

I was born and raised here in Inagi City, and these past six months have been the busiest period so far. Although I anticipated it, I took on the role of executive committee member because I believed the saying that regretting not doing something is greater than regretting doing it. Through interactions with external parties, I realized how difficult the Japanese language can be, and I felt a bit nervous speaking in front of people, but these were valuable experiences gained precisely because I took on the challenge.
I intend to pass down the story of handling both the Vice Chairperson and MC roles 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 an executive committee member on the occasion of The Coming of Age Ceremony, a milestone in life. I am very happy to have had the valuable experience of working together with people from different junior high schools to create something as one. Through the activities of the executive committee, I was able to once again feel the kindness and warmth of the people in the Inagi City community.
Also, as someone aspiring to become a future childcare worker, I want to grow into an adult who can contribute to society and Inagi City, so that children can confidently say, "I love the community where I live."

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

I was able to fulfill my role as a committee member for The Coming of Age Ceremony and believe we created a truly wonderful event. The committee activities started in July, and I experienced many things. I visited my alma mater and was able to greet the teachers who took great care of me during my junior high school days. On the day of the ceremony, I reunited with old friends and was able to share memories together.
It was a ceremony that made us once again aware that we have entered adulthood. It was a very good experience. Thank you very much.

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

The coming-of-age ceremony, successfully held after more than six months of preparation, is a lifelong memory. We are grateful for the many valuable opportunities we rarely experience, such as meeting former teachers, recording videos, and requesting sponsorships.
I want to continue gaining experience involved in management.

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

First of all, I am very happy to have had the valuable experience of a once-in-a-lifetime ceremony.
The executive committee enjoyed the process of shaping the ceremony step by step through discussions with everyone, while reminiscing about Inagi City and junior high schools. Although there may have been some inconveniences caused, with a lot of support received, I believe the actual ceremony was very fulfilling.
Finally, we would like to express our gratitude to the Lifelong Learning Division, the executive committee members, as well as the companies and teachers who cooperated with us.

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

Through this ceremony, I thought I could become a more responsible adult. In reality, it turned out to be no different from when I was a junior high school student, and I am left wondering if I have truly become the twenty-year-old I once envisioned.
However, if gaining such experiences means becoming an adult, then perhaps we are gradually growing. I am very happy to be involved in such an opportunity and feel grateful to my fellow executive committee members and everyone who cooperated.

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

At first, I found tasks like making appointments with schools and companies a bit troublesome, but as the ceremony approached, I became increasingly excited. On the day, I was the host, and I was truly happy to have successfully fulfilled my role and contributed to creating a ceremony worthy of celebrating the 20th birthday. Working together with others to accomplish something involves many challenges, but I was reminded once again that the joy when it comes to fruition is exceptional.
I want to continue to challenge various things without forgetting this feeling, and become a person who can find true joy beyond hardships.