A recent report from Japan’s National Police Agency reveals a staggering number of nearly 40,000 people died alone in their homes in the first half of 2024. Among them, almost 4,000 bodies were found more than a month after death, and 130 remained undiscovered for a year. This alarming trend sheds light on Japan’s aging population, with those aged 65 and over accounting for over 70% of the deceased individuals living alone.
The data highlights the growing issue of elderly citizens living and dying alone in Japan, with projections suggesting the number of single-person households will reach 23.3 million by 2050. The government has introduced a bill to address the loneliness and isolation problem exacerbated by the country’s declining birth rate and aging population. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has warned that Japan is at risk of not functioning as a society due to its demographic challenges, echoing similar concerns in neighboring countries like China and South Korea. The report serves as a wake-up call to address the social implications of an increasingly isolated elderly population in Japan.
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