Japan’s ‘lonely death’ surge among elderly 

Many people have kids and still are alone in their last years.

Elderly suffering lonely deaths and young generation is also suffering from suicidal deaths.

This is me in 30-40 years time. Apology in advance to my neighbours who going to smell my decomposing body.

That's me. Ill be 71 in a few weeks. No family, very few friends. I'm hoping I can at least outlive my cat who's 15 now. I'm tired of this life, but I'm hanging on for him.

Sad. They've worked hard their entire life only to die a lonely death in the end😢

That’s a really sad final feeling for anyone leaving this world forever.

We all die alone not only in Japan. It's a lonely experience no matter how many people are around you.

This is one of the reason I’m leaving Japan this year and go back to my country I’ve been here for 20yrs working single with no kids..I don’t want to die here old and alone

Having children doesn't guarantee you won't die alone. There's an epidemic of children estranged from their parents. I personally have several friends who have grown children that have done this and they don't know why! My husband and I have two adult sons (that have their own families). I love them and wouldn't want to burden them with caring for us. That's not why we had children.

I cared for my dad up until his passing. I was there holding his hand as he passed away. It shouldn’t be any other way. I can’t imagine about to die and not having anyone around you showing that they care and that they are with you to support on your final departure. It breaks my heart knowing people who even have family pass away alone. Even if the family has other priorities, being with a dying loved one should be the main priority.

That is so sad....it happens in western countries too. Bit some elderly people have found a solution. There are groups who all live together in the same house as flat mates. They all help each other. Some have disabilities while others are fitter. They share chores and cooking etc, each doing what they can within their capabilities. Men and women share the house and all get on well. They are not lonely any more and will not die alone. This is their family now. We should be trying this everywhere.

This is why I don't buy the whole "You need to get married and have kids or you'll be alone when you're old" argument. There are countless things that can happen over the course of your life that leave you alone in the end, regardless of the actions you take to mitigate the possibility.

I was with my parents when they passed My 2 sons dont have children and i just hope they are cared for in their final years ❤

Its happening not only in Japan

?

It's a regular occurrence in Singapore as well.

People, get to know your neighbors...be neighborly. If you have a single elderly person in your neighborhood, go out of your way to say hello, get to know them little by little, stop in to see how they are doing from time to time, be a friend they can call if an emergency arises. This is what makes communities stronger.

This is even sadder when you consider that this is in Japan, where respect for elders is one of the fundamental values of their society. Most Asian cultures value respect for elders when you think about it.

I will die happily. I live alone but happily without burdens.

I have just come to realize how lonely elderly people struggle and are so alone. It is devastating.

not alone but lonely, thats what i feel from this. watch out China, and other E and SE asia nations too..japan is what those countries will be in the future.

It doesn't matter. Nothing lasts, even pain/sorrow.

This does not just happen in Japan, it has been happening all over the world since the 90's from observation and hands-on. #Medical #USA

This really touches my heart… about 6 month ago, in the early hours of the morning, I was in prayer and my thoughts were directed towards an elderly person that was Asian, dying alone. I had the feeling of being afraid come over me so I prayed for this person that they would know that someone across the world was with them through prayer and that they were not alone. It really felt as if I was right next to this person, holding their hand. I then felt peace come over me and then the person passed away. I cried with tears of compassion for this person as if I knew who they were and it felt like I was connected like family. That was an experience that I’ve never had before. I thanked the Lord for allowing me to be a part of someone’s life like that even for a moment in time. This video reminded me of that experience and I’m glad that they realize this about the “lonely deaths” and plan on making changes to help accommodate for the elderly ❤🕊️.

We are seeing this also in the United States. It's a growing concern... especially amongst traditional families.

Implying that elderly with family members aren't also dying alone My grandma is dying soon and everyone literally cant wait for it. My dad and his siblings pretend to outsiders that we are sad and grandma is happy but even grandma herself knows the truth and probably cant wait to leave this accursed world It's just the cold hard truth. Just because you have a partner doesn't mean u arent lonely. Just because you have friends doesn't mean u arent lonely. Just because you have family members doesn't mean u arent lonely. Live for yourself to the fullest and stop letting others and propaganda decides if you should be happy or depressed. In this case, brainwashing news like this instill on us that we should be sad if we dont have family or whatever

Please remember kids is not a burden. If you bring one into this world please love them no matter what the future may bring. This world is already loveless we dont need another monster.

As sad and depressing as this is,it is not new and successive governments have not bee able to come up with and implement effective policies

I have no words. But in my heart.. I felt that too.. But at least.. I did take care my late father before he passed away.. While seeing his face, he smile on the deathbed. At least he finally see his sons and daughters are meet him and taking turns to care him. But in the end... death will apart us.

The man bowing after he closed the door on the coffin wall hit me pretty hard

My mom's friend met an old Japanese man while working in Japan. They became friends and she would take care of him and his house whenever she's in Japan. He was too old to do it himself, and idk why, but the man's son was unable to do take care of him. The old man became an honorary grandpa to the woman's kids and there's constant communication even when my mom's friend is in our home country. During lockdown, she was so worried because she knew no one would take care of him. Last I heard, she was working on her Japanese work visa so that she can become the man's caregiver.

There is no way that the government can "tackle" this issue. They can only mitigate it at best. As long as they pursue a neoliberal economic system and expect people act individualistically to grow the economy by pursuing jobs in the big cities, families will be fractured, and parents will be abandoned to wither in their country homes.

This is happening in Spain too😢

Its sad people go like this. They should have someone to accompany them in the path to passing on. Humanity isn’t right at the moment.

come alone and leave alone what is so big deal unless you yet to realize the meaning of life and death ....

Its sad to die alone and lonely. That kinda moment makes you wonder and think of your life decisions.

Cant believe even the Prime Minister is addressing the low birth rate of Japan. Actions speak louder than words my guy, you better start putting in policies to change the toxic work culture

Many relatives and family have become too selfish and disinterested in aging parents and family members....

Thanks to social media, this problem will only get much, Much worse, and on a global scale.

Very sad. I hope more families start loving and caring for their old . We all get old .🌎

Gone are the days your kids will care for you when you get old. Apparently this is happening in Japan. Now I took care of my mom during her final years.

I couldn’t be there for my mom because covid only let 2 in at a time. I told my oldest brother and dad to go while I stood in the parking garage. Glad I got to be there for my dad. It was a sad but beautiful moment. And 2 days before he passed I made sure he enjoyed his final day being responsive. Wish more people could have that support 😢

That thumbnail is just depressing but the topic and content of this vidoe is even more so. So sad about how this is the reality

I’m glad my grandparents didn’t die alone. I just hope my sister take care and my brother take care my dad.

Here's the proof. That having children or no children. You will still end up alone in your golden years. I wish people would cut the BS & face the harsh reality of getting older. Children do become adults. And as part of life we gotta work make a living & do whatever we please in our own lives. Not everybody is a saint in having the compassion & patience to take care of a person 24/7 its really tough. Esp conditions of having a serious illness (aka: cancer, dementia etc... ) In my opinion the sugarcoating gotta stop. Treat your kids better. Do not see them as money maker to get out of poverty or burdens.

I hope when I become an elder. Lots of computers would be developed for elders to play computer games with other elders. So I won't be lonely.

This makes me so sad

this will be us in 30-40 years

A select group of people have made human life miserable for all.

Their culture is work, work, work until you fall dead. No surprise this is happening.

We live in a sad cold world

This doesn't mean having kids is going to solve the problem…..

Not only the lonely death of elderly ppl there is also an increase number of suicide rate among youngsters in both japan and s.korea

Same thing in America too

Hmmm. My sad reality also.

Why aren't there senior and assisted living communities? Aren't there any nursing homes?

Having children doesn't guarantee you won't die alone. But not having children will almost *definitely* guarantee it.

What's the background music called?

Sad hear that condolences 🙏 ☹️ 😔 😢😢respect family members

The downside of forcing your kids to leave the nest.

0:52 wow that is respectful

A natural conclusion for those who spend their lives putting themselves first.

You're never really alone if you think about it you still have your family on the other side waiting for you.

this is so sad :(((

In india our 3 generations lives together

Most of our societies are youth based, and older people are often seen as unusable.

I don't worry about dying alone. I worry more about my pets if I die and no one knows.

Am going to grow old myself but I hope whats left of my family in the future will be there...that will leave me and my younger brother. After I and he passed away the family name will die off.

How sad...

This is also happening in the US and everywhere else in the world, especially among the poor and homeless.

Why is it occurring with people so much younger in ROK than in Japan? Human lifespan really does seem to be shortening.

Here in Philippines, we have very strong family bond..even if you grow old not having your own kids(making your own family) ..rest assured you will not die alone.. I'm very happy our tradition is like this because not everyone gets to have their happy endings in terms of romance.

Why isn't this solved electronically? Monitor motion in kitchen and bathroom for people over 65 who live alone. If there is no motion for 3 days a call is made to police or fire department.

Afterlife...how quaint!!

Even if you have 30 people around your death bed. You still pass alone. They can't take you to the other side.

Technically speaking, people die alone (except for those very rare cases where the concerned chose to die thru "duo euthanasia") so, perhaps, it is a misnomer to call it a lonely death. I read that it is only in death that humans (or whatever "essence" in them) finally realize they are alive. While we are living, we are busily thinking of (and doing, too) ways and means to either keep or better our lifestyle that we are hardly alive. The "lonely death" is only a PERCEPTION because we never experience actually dying and live to tell about it. In my view, passing on quietly and quickly, without drama, is the best form of dying. Who cares if the body is found later after the fact? Only the living gives a heck about it calling it "lonely" - the dead is probably happy to be liberated from the limited space that is the mortal body. If we change our perception about death - and see it as something like the clouds turning into rain and vice versa - then no death is a lonely death. Instead, every death is just a way to give life to another life. So what's the big deal? 🤷‍♀️

Not just Japan. Sad. Really sad phenomenon. 😔

I live in China. Everything is miserable here, but no one dares to complain. Seriously if there is next life, I wish to be born in any other country, except China.

Unless you’re a twin, we are all born alone and will die alone. It’s normal to be alone.

This is gonna be pretty common going forward

It is you alone against this horrible world, whether you are surrounded by ppl or no ppl, make no difference, whether you leave this world as a group or not, you are still alone,

A sad reality that even poor countries don't have to face

It is the saddest to think they outlived their children.

If the government has a list of everyone's details, they should make it a point to visit people over a certain age. They have their addresses!

There is also Hikokimori in Japan.

It’s how you live. Not how you die.

My future. I have to find a way to put myselfout. I had surgery last week and they put me under and I didn't feel a thing, I simply blanked out. Had something gone wrong I'd have not felt anything. I think a Japanese lady died like that in my building. The stinch was horrible and all her furniture and belongings had to be thrown away. Now the employees of the building try to stay more in touch with the older residents.

I think I’ll be dying alone as well. I can foresee my future. But then again aren’t we all going to die alone? I don’t want people surrounding me when I’m dying that’s embarrassing..

This had been happening since the beginning of time.

My dad lives in a nursing home 3 hours away, and my family still regularly goes to visit him, to let him know he's loved. Our parents may not be our responsibility, but caring for them out of love as they cared for us, and likely as they cared for their parents out of that same love, is just the decent thing to do.

It's the same in the US. We spend a lifetime to provide for a family that wants nothing to do with us as we die off, wanting to be there only to see what they can get before you go. What a dream...

What this report doesn’t mention is that these individuals are extremely conservative. They will write their own children off if they refuse to obey them. Not in small things, but regarding major life decisions like career paths. I know this because I’ve had Japanese friends (mostly exchange students) my entire life, as we were lucky enough to be host families for many years while I grew up. I still keep in touch with most of them.

So sad……………….😭

Same with me in America 🇺🇸 lonely every single day I’m 30 years old with no family or friends never been married just me and the world 🌎 alone my mom and dad and younger brother died just me now if I do end up dying a early premature death then im happy being alive living is miserable I hate my job and everything.

Here you can rent a service providing first aid and they can get called by an emergency button. It is called home alarm service. You can press the button on your wristband and call them anytime 24 h all year round whenever you are feeling unwell. This is for seniors or disabled persons who still want to live alone or have to live alone. They get the keys to enter your home. That aside someone might die without having the time left to press the button. They will check on you once a week. I think this is better than nothing. Cost are 25 - 49€ per month.

Future generations wont have this problem. We can just go through 5 decades of videogame backlog

Been alone most of our adult life. We are happier even given this inevitability.

I mean we all die alone. No family members standing by your death bed are dying with you lol.

I don't think there will even be 5 people at my funeral so I will slip into the afterlife as a loner

yeah, i didn't fall for "making kids on early age" there is no guarantee your kids will take care of you when you get old and it is unlikely when you are toxic to them in their childhood days