Bearing in mind the recent changes in the society, this Act makes provisions for the basic principles, theresponsibilities of the national government, etc., the measure underpinnings, the establishment of the Headquarters
for Promotion of Measures for Loneliness and Isolation for, and other matters in relation to the actions including
support to persons who are suffering mental or physical harm as a result of experiencing loneliness in their daily orsocial life, or becoming isolated from the society.
 This Act seeks to achieve a society where: not a single person suffering from loneliness and isolation is left
behind; and individuals support and connect with each other.

1. Basic Principles
Defines the following basic principles in relation to the policies for loneliness and isolation (prevention of thestate of loneliness and isolation, swift and appropriate support to persons who are in a state of loneliness andisolation, and other actions helpful for freeing from the state of loneliness and isolation).
(1) It is important to promote policies for loneliness and isolation in all areas of the society as any person canpotentially be in a state of loneliness and isolation at any point in life.
(2) Continuous support must be provided based on the viewpoint of, and in response to the individual
circumstances of, persons who are in a state of loneliness and isolation and their family members, etc.
(“concerned parties, etc.”).
(3) Necessary support to the concerned parties, etc. must be provided with the aim of enabling them to freethemselves from their state of loneliness and isolation and lead a smooth daily life as well as social life, byinteracting with the society and others in accordance with their wishes.
2. Responsibilities of the National Government, etc. and Other Matters
Prescribes, in relation to policies for loneliness and isolation, the responsibilities of the national and local
governments, the understanding and cooperation of the Japanese citizens and organizations, the coordination andcollaboration among the relevant parties, and other matters.
3. Basic Policy• Produce a priority plan on measures for loneliness and isolation• Increase the understanding by the Japanese citizens and organizations in relation to, and engage in awarenessraising which contributes to the voluntary activities of the diverse members of the society relating to, policiesfor loneliness and isolation.
• Promoting support for counselling (providing the necessary advice, etc. in response to requests made byconcerned parties, etc.).
• Encouraging the coordination and collaboration among the relevant parties (the national and local governments,
those who aid the concerned parties, etc., and so on)• Recruiting, training, and developing persons who aid the concerned parties, etc.
• Support for the local governments as well as those who aid the concerned parties, etc.
• Promoting research studies on the actual conditions of persons who are in a state of loneliness and isolation.
4. Framework for promotion• Establishes the Headquarters for Promotion of Measures for Loneliness and Isolation (produces priority plan,etc.) as a special agency within the Cabinet Office.
• Local governments are to endeavor to establish a Local Council on Measures for Loneliness and Isolation thatcomprises the relevant agencies, etc., exchanges the necessary information, and deliberates on the support tobe provided.
• Imposes a duty of confidentiality on those who become involved in the administration of the said local council,and provides for penalty for breach of this duty.

April 1, 2024