Lonely lives

This is the time of year when statistics on population movements and various trends within society are published. However, last year also saw a national census in Japan and the results of the information collected are beginning to appear. Over recent years Japan has become known for a number of social issues which are a sad reflection of where things have got to for some in this land. The suicide problem is well-documented. The problem of the 'shut-ins' too is well-known - younger people who can spend months, even years, in their own room. Recently a new word has been coined ('kozoku') which combines the characters for 'lonely' and 'group'. In a society where so much happens in the context of the group, more and more are now living alone. It seems that in time the 'single-person household' could become the largest percentage of home dwellers. A good number will have no friends and not be in contact much with anyone else. Among the increasing number of elderly living alone, it was eye-opening to read about the number of people who die alone, and the average length of time it takes for those deaths to be discovered. It is a strange paradox that in a society where the group plays such a dominant role that so many can be so lonely. And it is a further paradox that in a land which comes up with the most hi-tech mobiles and gadgets imaginable that so many struggle to maintain even basic communication with others. There are surely huge opportunities for the churches here to reach the lost and lonely and help them find a family where each one is connected to Jesus who came not just to be our saviour, but also our friend.