The Minister of Loneliness

STEPHEN JOSEPH – Headlines generated global interest last month as Japan’s newest cabinet position, the Minister of Loneliness, was unveiled. The creation of this new role brings attention to the importance of mental health and is symptomatic of a seemingly rising problem facing even well-developed nations—loneliness.

What is this new position?

The new minister of loneliness is responsible for developing government policies to tackle issues of loneliness and social isolation among Japan’s citizens. Tetsushi Sakamoto, who had previously served as Minister for Economic Revitalization, was tapped for the new role. Sakamoto had already been designing policies to address Japan’s declining birth rate. 

Is this really necessary?

The new role was established in response to Japan’s suicide rates rising for the first time in 11 years. It is widely believed that problems with loneliness and social isolation were exacerbated by lockdowns during the current pandemic. With a  70% increase in female suicides in October 2020 as opposed to October 2019, women have been the hardest hit.

It’s not the first time…

Japan is not the first country to establish a Minister for Loneliness. Three years ago, the United Kingdom appointed the world’s first Minister for Loneliness, tackling its problems around social isolation. This change was not unfounded either. A 2018 study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that approximately 20% of adults in the US and UK reported loneliness or social isolation, double the rate in Japan. A UK consumer co-operative (CO-OP) determined these loneliness statistics could cost employers up to $3.5 billion annually.

How is the US responding?

In 2017, former US surgeon general Vivek Murthy stated that loneliness is a “growing health epidemic.” A 2010 study published in PLOS medicine established that social isolation is linked with a reduction in lifespan comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. While the health concerns of loneliness are well established, there is some dispute over the role of the government in addressing these social isolation concerns. Countries such as the UK and Japan are seeking to improve community engagement and involvement through the use of parks, libraries, and recreation centers. However, there lacks a unified emphasis on improving mental health in the US, as these measures are largely left to local governments and organizations.

Is there actually a loneliness epidemic?

These developments raise the question of whether loneliness is quantitatively increasing or if it is simply receiving greater attention. In recent years, there has been a growing mental health movement and news headlines have referenced an “epidemic” of loneliness. However, historical data about loneliness is scarce and it can be difficult to make accurate statements about its trends. This doesn’t refute the importance of mental health funding. Rather, it asserts that even if these rates of loneliness have remained steady for decades, our current knowledge and resources now make it possible to institute widespread changes to address problems of social isolation.

Copy Editor: Neha Kotike

Photography Source: Uzair Jan, https://www.communitycare.com/News/Health-Blog-Article?URLName=A-Mental-Health-Reminder-You%E2%80%99re-Not-Alone