Some 4.5% in Japan constantly feel lonely, government survey finds

A new government survey reveals that 4.5% of Japan's population persistently feels lonely, with the burden heaviest among working-age adults. | Contesto: cronaca

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• Some 4.5% in Japan constantly feel lonely, government survey finds

Contesto

A comprehensive government survey has revealed that approximately 4.5% of Japan's population reports constantly feeling lonely, a finding that brings stark numerical clarity to a long-debated social issue. The data, released this week, provides the first official benchmark for the scale of persistent loneliness in the country, moving the discussion beyond anecdotal evidence. The survey's results confirm that feelings of isolation are not confined to the elderly, a demographic often the focus of such concerns, but are widespread across adult society. The study's most striking detail is the disproportionate impact on the nation's core workforce. The share of people who often or constantly feel lonely was significantly higher among those in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. This challenges the common perception that loneliness primarily affects the very old, instead pointing to a crisis within the prime working-age population. These are individuals who are typically embedded in professional and family structures, suggesting that such networks are not providing sufficient social or emotional sustenance for a notable segment of society. The findings arrive amid a growing, albeit belated, recognition of loneliness as a critical public health and social policy issue in Japan. For years, phenomena such as "hikikomori" (acute social withdrawal) and "kodokushi" (lonely deaths) have signaled deep-seated problems of disconnection. The government established a ministerial portfolio to address loneliness and isolation in 2021, following similar moves in other nations like the United Kingdom. This survey represents a foundational step for that office, providing the empirical data necessary to shape targeted interventions and measure their future effectiveness. Experts suggest the high rates among middle-aged adults may be linked to Japan's intense corporate culture, which can erode work-life balance and community ties, as well as shifting family dynamics. Long working hours and frequent relocations for work can fracture local social bonds, while declining marriage rates and smaller family units reduce traditional sources of intimate support. The pressure to be self-reliant and avoid...

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Categoria: cronaca