A recent report by Japan’s National Police Agency reveals a sobering statistic: approximately 40,000 people died alone in their homes between January and July this year. This figure underscores a pressing issue in a country with the world’s oldest population, as recognized by the United Nations.
The data highlights a significant problem of unattended deaths, with nearly 4,000 individuals discovered more than a month after passing away. Alarmingly, 130 of these bodies were not found until a full year had elapsed. The report, broadcast by public TV network NHK, will be forwarded to a government group tasked with addressing the issue of unattended deaths.
In the first half of 2024, the National Police Agency reported that 37,227 people living alone were found dead in their homes. Over 70% of these individuals were aged 65 or older, with the majority of deaths occurring among those aged 85 and above. Specifically, 7,498 deceased individuals were in this age group, followed by 5,920 aged 75 to 79, and 5,635 aged 70 to 74.
The report also reveals that about 40% of those who died alone were discovered within a day, while 3,939 bodies were found after more than a month. This delayed discovery of deaths raises concerns about social isolation and the adequacy of support systems for elderly individuals living alone.
Looking ahead, the Japanese National Institute of Population and Social Security Research projects that by 2050, the number of elderly citizens aged 65 and above living alone will reach 10.8 million. The overall number of single-person households is expected to rise to 23.3 million. This growing trend underscores the urgent need for enhanced social support and monitoring systems to address the challenges faced by Japan’s aging population.