2024 Volume 45 Pages 225-233
This paper presents policy issues based on the actual situation of "solitary deaths" in temporary housing after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Statistical analysis based on prefectural police reports will be conducted. The main findings are as follows. 1) In addressing the problem of "solitary deaths," it is essential to focus not only on the isolation of the elderly, but also on the problems faced by the non-elderly. 2) There are two patterns of "solitary death" among the non-elderly. One is that they commit suicide under different circumstances from isolation while maintaining human relationships. The other is that they die of illness due to social exclusion, poverty, and weakness. Both patterns have in common that they were left behind in small housing complexes for a long period of time. 3) To cope with the problem of "solitary deaths" in temporary housing, policies should be developed in accordance with these differences in the process of occurrence. Particular attention should be paid to the formation of extremely small housing complexes.
