In Osaka, Japan, 2,996 people died from solitary deaths last year... "Men are three times more than women"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Asahi Shimbun reported on the 7th that approximately 3,000 people died of solitary deaths in Osaka, Japan, a "super-aged society," last year. Among them, 3 out of 10 were under the age of 65, and the number of solitary deaths among men was three times higher than that of women.

According to the report, the Osaka Prefectural Police conducted the first-ever investigation related to solitary deaths, and the number of solitary deaths in Osaka Prefecture last year was counted as 2,996 cases. The criterion for solitary death was defined as a body being discovered more than two days after death. Cases where the body was left unattended for more than one month after death amounted to 382.

By age group, those in their 70s accounted for the largest share at 34.3% (1,029 people), followed by those in their 60s (684 people). However, solitary deaths under the elderly threshold of 65 years old also accounted for 29%. In particular, solitary deaths among people in their 40s and 50s were recorded at 18.4%. This is largely interpreted as being influenced by unstable employment.

By gender, the number of solitary deaths among men was 2,213, three times higher than that of women. In cases where the body was discovered after one month, men numbered 321, more than five times higher than women (61). Especially, men in their 70s accounted for the largest share at 26.4% of the total.

The Asahi explained, "It has been difficult to grasp the actual situation due to the lack of statistics until now," and added, "Although there is no legal definition of solitary death or nationwide statistics, this investigation revealed part of the reality of solitary deaths." Osaka Prefecture ranks second in Japan in terms of the proportion of total deaths, following Tokyo.

As aging rapidly accelerates, voices calling for measures against solitary deaths are growing louder within Japan. There are opinions that public institutions such as the national government and local governments should take the lead in preparing countermeasures. Professor Kawai Katsuyoshi of Meiji Gakuin University said, "The situation will worsen 20 to 30 years from now when people in their 40s and 50s reach old age," and added, "The government must promptly take action to understand the actual situation and prepare measures."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.