Despite Japan-China Tensions, Number of Shanghai Students Attending Kimono Event Increases Against Trend
Amidst strained Japan-China relations, a "Japan-China Friendship Coming-of-Age Ceremony" was held in Shanghai, where Chinese students in kimonos and Japanese students in Hanfu celebrated their coming of age together. The number of participants increased to about 100 from approximately 70 last year. This event, organized by the Shanghai Japanese Students Association since 2012, targets young people aged 18 and above, the legal age of majority in both countries. Despite pressure from Chinese universities leading to cancellations for a Japanese embassy-hosted ceremony, this private exchange thrived.
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According to Japan's Kyodo News Chinese website on the 11th, the "Japan-China Friendship Coming-of-Age Ceremony," where students from both countries jointly celebrated their coming of age, was held at a hotel in Shanghai on that day. Many Chinese students wearing furisode kimonos and Japanese students wearing Hanfu attended.
The report stated that 50 students from Japan and 50 from China attended, totaling about 100 people, which is more than the approximately 70 participants last year. This event, which began in 2012, targets young people who have reached the legal age of majority (18) in both countries and is organized by the Shanghai Japanese Students Association.
Prior to this, the Japanese Embassy in China held a joint coming-of-age ceremony for Japanese and Chinese students on March 21. However, Chinese universities pressured students not to attend, and many students canceled their attendance before the event began.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's response last November, stating that a Taiwan contingency could constitute an "existential crisis," provoked a strong backlash from China, leading to a series of diplomatic disputes. Japan-China relations rapidly deteriorated, with China calling on its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan, suspending imports of Japanese aquatic products, and restricting exports of dual-use items to Japan.
On the other hand, Japan's latest diplomatic bluebook downgraded its wording on Japan-China relations from last year's "one of the most important bilateral relationships" to "important neighbor." However, the bluebook still emphasized that Japan's door for dialogue remains open, and it is necessary for Japan and China to strive to develop a "strategically mutually beneficial relationship" and cooperate in areas of common interest. (Edited by Chou Hui-ying / Tang Pei-chun) 1150412
The report stated that 50 students from Japan and 50 from China attended, totaling about 100 people, which is more than the approximately 70 participants last year. This event, which began in 2012, targets young people who have reached the legal age of majority (18) in both countries and is organized by the Shanghai Japanese Students Association.
Prior to this, the Japanese Embassy in China held a joint coming-of-age ceremony for Japanese and Chinese students on March 21. However, Chinese universities pressured students not to attend, and many students canceled their attendance before the event began.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's response last November, stating that a Taiwan contingency could constitute an "existential crisis," provoked a strong backlash from China, leading to a series of diplomatic disputes. Japan-China relations rapidly deteriorated, with China calling on its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan, suspending imports of Japanese aquatic products, and restricting exports of dual-use items to Japan.
On the other hand, Japan's latest diplomatic bluebook downgraded its wording on Japan-China relations from last year's "one of the most important bilateral relationships" to "important neighbor." However, the bluebook still emphasized that Japan's door for dialogue remains open, and it is necessary for Japan and China to strive to develop a "strategically mutually beneficial relationship" and cooperate in areas of common interest. (Edited by Chou Hui-ying / Tang Pei-chun) 1150412
FAQ
Where was the "Japan-China Friendship Coming-of-Age Ceremony" held?
It was held at a hotel in Shanghai.
When did this coming-of-age ceremony begin?
It began in 2012.