The Necessity of Measures Against Loneliness: The 2040 Problem and the Future of Local Communities

The Necessity of Measures Against Loneliness: The 2040 Problem and the Future of Local Communities

Japanese society faces a rapidly aging population, and the increase in the number of single-person households is a particularly significant challenge. The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research estimates that about 45% of elderly households will be headed by a single person by 2040, and the risk of solitary death is expected to increase. In the background is the shift to nuclear families, the concentration of population in urban areas, and the weakening of local communities, and changes in the structure of life that have continued since the period of rapid economic growth after World War II have intensified isolation in old age. Loneliness is not only an issue of personal dignity, but also a cause of increased social cost and risk to sanitation and disaster prevention due to delayed detection. Under these circumstances, local governments and social welfare councils are strengthening their watch-over networks involving welfare commissioners, volunteers,
home delivery service providers, and postal workers, and ICT-based safety confirmation systems are being introduced. However, challenges remain, such as a lack of personnel, limited financial resources, and barriers to the protection of personal information. The government is promoting the integration of medical care, nursing care, and lifestyle support under the banner of a comprehensive community care system, but there are large regional differences. The issue of measures against solitary deaths is not limited to the elderly, but also extends to middle-aged singles as the percentage of unmarried people rises.