Elderly Poverty in Japan and the Rise of Lonely Deaths

Published with The Borgen Project

More than 70,000 lonely deaths occurred all across Japan in 2024. Most were above 65, in poverty and lacking resources for health care. There is evidence of a silent crisis: social isolation, an increase in elderly poverty in Japan and the rise of reports of kodokushi or “lonely death.”

According to a 2024 study by the National Police Agency, the elderly population in Japan makes up 76% of solitary deaths. Experts believe this is a public health emergency with contributions from weak social safety nets and shifts in family structures.

Scope of the Crisis

Living alone is now common for older adults in Japan. The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research reports that 19.4% of seniors age 65 and older currently live alone. This shift reflects Japan’s low birth rate, shrinking family units and increasing urban migration.

According to the World Bank, 30% of Japanese adults are above 65. Experts expect that number to rise, with elderly single households estimated to increase by 47% by 2050. This creates a society where aging in isolation becomes increasingly unavoidable due to limited funds and inadequate elder care infrastructure.

Causes of Lonely Death Among the Elderly

Japan is one of the fastest-aging societies in the world, with 29.1% of its population now aged 65 or older. Meanwhile, multigenerational households are disappearing. Multigenerational households dominated half of Japan’s families in 1980 but shrank to 12.2% by 2015.

Cultural norms previously dictated that children cared for aging parents. But economic pressures, migration and social stigma around dependence have shattered those expectations, creating an increase in elderly poverty in Japan. According to Matthew Penney, almost 20% of Japan’s elderly struggle with relative income poverty.

Loneliness and Isolation

The economic consequences are severe. Elder poverty in Japan is high, almost double the average for the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). According to the Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus, most single older women in Japan live below the poverty line. They are also likely to outlive their spouses and suffer in silence rather than ask for help.

These women are extremely vulnerable. Many of them have no pension or savings because they spent most of their lives as homemakers. Social isolation further compounds the problem. A white paper from Japan’s Cabinet Office confirms the rise in levels of loneliness among seniors, proving that isolation increases the risk of both depression and death.

Promising Solutions

To address the crisis of social isolation, the Japanese government funds new programs such as dementia cafés. These cafés are part of The New Orange Plan, designed to foster connection and reduce loneliness. There is also considerable development in community centers to intervene early on.

Local organizations, such as the Zero Isolation Project, are advocating for more robust volunteer programs and increased awareness campaigns. Offering services that include volunteer visits and support services, Japan is banding together to help the elderly population feel less alone.

Final Remarks

Addressing Japan’s elderly crisis provides a global model for aging care and preventative measures. When governments take action to support the elderly poor, they ensure people have the resources they need to feel safe and supported. 

– Nicole Fernandez

Nicole is based in Reno, NV, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.