The issue of loneliness and isolation, which became prominent during the spread of COVID-19, is a globally recognized concern, as evidenced by measures such as the appointment of a dedicated minister in the UK. In Japan, the "Loneliness and Isolation Countermeasure Promotion Law" has been enacted and implemented, signaling a commitment to actively address these issues moving forward.

Loneliness and isolation coexist with challenges such as social withdrawal, young caregivers, and domestic violence, and are not solely caused by poverty or aging. While various specific measures have already been implemented to address these issues, there is an increasing need for strategies that also tackle the overlooked and complex problems that fall between the gaps of existing measures. The approach to loneliness and isolation is thus expected to demand more comprehensive strategies in the future.

Under the Loneliness and Isolation Countermeasure Promotion Law, it is stipulated that local public organizations should strive to establish regional councils for loneliness and isolation countermeasures, which are composed of relevant institutions for necessary information exchange and discussion on support content. Our company has been entrusted with the Cabinet Office's "Regional Collaboration Promotion Model Research for Loneliness and Isolation Countermeasures," and we support many municipalities in establishing these councils.

However, simply setting up these councils is not enough to make them functional. It requires collaboration among municipalities, community welfare councils, NPOs, postal services, delivery businesses, cooperatives, and other local businesses to function organically. Additionally, while measures are being implemented in related areas of community coexistence, the mere existence of multiple councils can increase the burden on the field and risk becoming merely formalistic. We also assist in revising and optimizing these systems to ensure they serve their intended purpose effectively.

• Establishment of regional councils for loneliness and isolation countermeasures.
• Support for collaboration between municipalities, NPOs, and businesses.
• Assistance in organizing training sessions and workshops led by experts and specialists in the field.
• Optimization through the review of related councils in the field of community coexistence.

• Cabinet Office: Regional Collaboration Promotion Model Research for Loneliness and Isolation Countermeasures (Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023)