Minimum Legal Drinking Age and Youth Health: Evidence From Japan

Recent studies showed that reducing the minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) could cause negative health outcomes among youth. This evidence was drawn primarily from a limited set of geographical regions. This study seeks to widen available evidence by using data from Japan, where the government started considering reducing the MLDA from 20 to 18.

Using a regression discontinuity design, we compared emergency service event rates related to alcohol intoxication and mortality rates through external causes between those who were slightly younger and older than the age of 20.

We showed that granting legal access to alcohol at age 20 doubled the use of emergency services used for alcohol intoxication but had little impact on mortality as measured by traffic fatalities, suicide, and other accidents.

Our findings suggest that lowering the MLDA in Japan will increase (potentially reckless and excessive) drinking behavior among young adults ages 18 and 19 but will not increase their mortality from accidents.