Graduating from high school represents a significant milestone in any young person's life, a landmark that certainly wasn't lost on the countless 18-year-olds milling around Shibuya Station on a recent March afternoon. Among them was 18-year-old Akane Endo, who was brimming with excitement at the prospect of starting a new life in April.

"My high school didn't allow me to have a part-time job, but now that I've graduated, I'm looking forward to making money myself so that I'm at least able to pay for my own clothes or transportation," says Endo, who plans to study literature at a Tokyo university.

Like Endo, 18-year-olds who have completed 12 years of education at elementary, middle and high schools nationwide will get their first taste of adulthood next month, when they make a transition to higher education or employment.