Japanese TV program “Old Enough!” shows how community can support children

A Japanese beloved TV show is aired on Netflix under the title “Old Enough!” and has been popular worldwide from the middle east to Europe. Although the reaction from the world apparently varies from “adorable” to “horrifying,” the Japanese have enjoyed this show for over 30 years.

A TV show that sends toddlers to run errands

“Old Enough!” or “Hajimete no otsukai,” meaning “my first errand” in Japanese, is a Japanese TV show that closely follows children from ordinary households aged between two and six years old who are sent out into the community entirely “alone” (TV crew follows them in disguise for safety) to run errands like shopping for grocery items and delivering lunch to their family members. Each intriguing episode is only 10 to 20 min-long, so you may end up watching all 30 episodes before you know it.

Every episode is heartwarming and funny yet very touching although it is just a slice of toddlers’ and their parents’ lives. Seeing toddlers trying to ask store staff aloud where they can get groceries, or to get on a bus alone for the first time, I can’t take my eyes off the screen because they are so adorable and yet make me nervous at the same time.

Bringing up children in a close-knit community

The series is not just here to entertain audiences, but it also makes them think about how parenting and the local community can better support children. I have a particular favorite episode among the many episodes: when the cafe owner’s two-year-old youngest daughter is asked to run an errand in their old castle town in Oita Prefecture. A young girl who is asked to do an errand by her mother, comes back in tears because she gets lost during her attempt. Her mother tries to soothe her with a reward and decides to draw the tasks to close. However, the girl, still in tears, then decides to set off again, determined to finish what she started.

Tottering down the street with unsteady steps, she keeps walking to complete the tasks while being watched over by almost all the neighbors who have known the girl since she was a baby. Every adult on the street cheers her up and ensures that she is on the right track, while some of them wipe their tears seeing her growth.

Seeing her and her neighbors all joining together to support her mission, I think how important the local community and neighbors are for bringing up children. Indeed, neighbors are informed of the tasks, but they are obviously eager and even glad to help her out as though they are her family.

We possibly miss the relationship with a neighborhood

Unfortunately, this kind of tight bond is disappearing these days in urban areas in Japan just like in other countries. On the other hand, more and more young people decide to move into rural areas in order to experience neighborhood relationships. Everyone wants connection, community and friends. I think that’s why this beloved TV show has been aired since the 90s and became popular beyond generations and borders. In fact, the show has proven such a hit that a British remake is in the works.