By Wonsuh Song
This morning, I noticed an unusual commotion on my balcony. Looking out, I saw a professional cleaning crew busy working in the apartment next door. It turns out that my neighbor had already moved out without so much as a goodbye. Since they owned the unit, I assumed they would stay longer. The suddenness of the move surprised me and made me feel strangely lonely.
I make it a point to greet anyone I meet in the elevator. Even so, the brief small talk we share hardly suffices to truly know one another. In modern life, it has become all too common for neighbors to move away without anyone discovering where—or why—they have gone.
This drift toward weaker neighborly connections is not merely a personal issue. Looking at Japan’s example offers us a glimpse of what may lie ahead elsewhere. For instance, Japan’s lifetime non-marriage rate—measured at age 50—rose significantly over the past decade. In 2010, it stood at 20.1% for men and 10.6% for women; by 2020, it had climbed to 28.3% and 17.8% respectively. More people than ever are choosing not to marry and are living alone. Even more concerning is the rise in so-called “lonely deaths” or ”kodokushi”. In 2011, an estimated 27,000 people in Japan died alone and unnoticed. But in 2024, it had risen to around 76,000. The stark reality is that a growing number of individuals spend their final moments in complete isolation.
This phenomenon is no longer unique to a single country. With the rapid aging of the population and a declining birthrate, many societies around the world are facing similar trends. While remaining single can be a legitimate personal choice, the potential for isolation can lead to broader social consequences—added strain on healthcare, social services, and community support systems.
Educational institutions cannot afford to ignore these shifts. From an early age, children need opportunities to develop a sense of connection with others, along with basic empathy and respect. Telling adults to “look out for one another” when they have never experienced genuine community bonds makes it difficult to foster meaningful mutual support.
I hope the family that moved out next door finds comfort and prosperity in their new home. Yet the next time someone moves in, I intend to be more proactive in reaching out. Even a simple, “Hello, how are things?” can make a difference. Such small gestures, when multiplied, may help prevent individual isolation from growing into a daunting societal problem.
Seeing that empty apartment next door reminds me how quietly people can vanish from our midst. Each person, of course, has their own story. We often fail to notice these stories entirely. While no one wants intrusive meddling, it seems important to retain at least a basic level of concern for those who live around us—especially as we consider the children who will shape our future society.
Song Wonsuh (Ph.D.)
Full-time Lecturer, Shumei University / NKNGO Forum Representative
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