Japan Appoints ‘Loneliness’ Minister
The increasing cases of suicides and loneliness has forced the Japanese government to appoint a loneliness minister.
Because of the lockdown, older Japanese who are not used to communicating online have become more isolated from the outside world.People were not able to meet, there were no social gatherings and everyone had to work online from home. This is why people began to feel very stressed and lonely. Even younger, tech-savvy generations have struggled with protracted social-distancing efforts. Closed offices and schools mean they have less contact with colleagues and friends. Many have also lost jobs, adding economic stress to their situation.
For the first time in 11 years, there has been a huge increase in suicides.Japan’s Prime Minister is Yoshihide Suga. He said that this is a serious problem and it needs to be solved. Specially women are more lonely and are committing suicide.This is why he appointed Tetsushi Sakamoto to become Japan’s first Loneliness Minister. Sakamoto will prepare a team that will come up with ideas to help Japanese people reduce stress and prevent loneliness. His aim is to help people Japan is not the first country to appoint such a minister. Even the United Kingdom had appointed a Loneliness Minister in 2018 as many of the senior citizens were becoming isolated and stressed.
