Cosmetic Surgery Spreading among People under 20 in Japan

Tokyo, Aug. 12 (Jiji Press)–An increasing number of young people in Japan, including those aged under 20, are seeking double eyelid surgery and other cosmetic treatments. At 17 clinics directly run by Kyoritsu Cosmetic Surgery, the proportion of patients aged 19 or younger surged to 18.8 pct in 2025 from 7.2 pct in 2017. The share of those under 20 who underwent double eyelid surgery also increased, to 27.2 pct in 2025 from 18.8 pct in 2018. Many junior high school students take advantage of long holidays such as summer vacation to receive treatments including double eyelid surgery, according to sources close to the situation. Among patients who undergo double eyelid surgery at Shonan Beauty Clinic’s main facility in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward are children who have just graduated from elementary school. Patients under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or other guardian whose consent is also required. “The number of third-year junior high school patients has been increasing in recent years,” Kim Ahmi, 43, a physician at the Shinjuku facility, said. “Consultations are concentrated during summer vacation and before they enter high school.” There are two double eyelid surgery techniques–the non-incision method, where a thread is passed through the eyelid to create a double-eyelid crease, and the incision method, which involves the use of a scalpel to cut the eyelid along the desired double line. “The non-incision method, which causes little swelling and internal bleeding, and allows the thread to be removed so the eyelids can return to their original state, is the mainstream,” Kim said, noting that the operation takes about 30 minutes. It takes about a month for the double eyelid to look natural. “There are no particular physical risks for minors,” Kim added. Some patients undergo surgery at the request of their parents. Manga artist Gura Hamuco had her first double eyelid surgery at her mother’s suggestion during spring break when she was in the third year at junior high school. “My mother’s belief that single eyelids are bad was imprinted on me, so I didn’t know how I really felt,” she recalled. When she was about to undergo her third surgery as a university student, she “became emotional and broke down on the operating table,” prompting the doctor to cancel the operation. “There is certainly implicit pressure from society that people should be beautiful,” the 39-year-old manga artist, now a mother of two, said. “If my children want to have cosmetic surgery in the future, I won’t oppose it, but I’ll show them as many different values as possible.” Akihito Kujime, 68, a senior official of the Japan Association of Aesthetic Medicine, said, “Respecting patients’ wishes is important (when it comes to minors), but doctors should avoid irreversible operations such as shaving bones.” “It’s necessary for doctors and parents to listen carefully to young patients’ wishes and share their ideal images in presurgery consultations, to enhance the patients’ sense of satisfaction,” he added. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]