Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has reportedly appointing a cabinet post aims to tackle loneliness and isolation caused by the pandemic.
Japan has the highest suicide rate in the world, the rate has been fallen in the past decade but in year 2020, the rate has surged for the first time.
The pandemic-linked isolation has been blamed for the surge with mental issues arose as by-product.
Recognising a serious problem, Tetsushi Sakamoto has been tapped for the job to coordinate for efforts across multiple ministries and agencies.
Women in japan are more incline to mental issues, said the Prime Minister.
“Women especially are feeling more isolated and face increasing suicide rates,” said Suga
Japan is not the first country to appoint a “Loneliness Minister”, UK has appointed one in 2018 and included loneliness as a topic in government surveys.