Solving Japan’s Recluse Problem or loneliness affecting isolated living senior citizens

Are other Western societies facing similar issues?

"Japanese authorities are ramping up efforts to counter a growing wave of loneliness that’s led to a population of recluses among its residents.

Nearly 1.5 million of the nation’s people are living as ‘hikikomori,’ or ‘shut-ins,” per a 2022 government study. ...

Breaking the cycle:

The government began creating local hikikomori support centers in 2009, which have since expanded to major cities and 190 local municipalities.

Lawmakers enacted a bill in May to promote measures to mitigate social isolation; other policymakers hope metaverse events can coax lonely residents from their homes."

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