He is not an exception. He is part of a growing global pattern.Across cities from London to Seoul, loneliness is emerging as one of the defining social issues of the 21st century one that is quietly reshaping economies, public health systems and the way people relate to one another.

Loneliness is not new. But its scale, experts say, is unprecedented.In recent years, governments and health organisations have begun to treat it as a serious public health concern.

The World Health Organization has warned that social isolation can have effects comparable to smoking and obesity, increasing the risk of heart disease, depression and premature death.

In the UK, more than nine million people report feeling lonely often or always. In Japan, the issue has become so acute that the government appointed a minister for loneliness a role designed to coordinate national responses.

Yet the crisis often remains invisible.“Loneliness doesn’t leave visible scars,” said a social researcher. “But its impact is profound.”

The rise of social media and digital communication was expected to bring people closer together. Instead, for many, it has produced the opposite effect.

Platforms that promise connection can also amplify comparison, exclusion and superficial interaction. Users may accumulate hundreds of online contacts while lacking meaningful relationships offline.

In Seoul, where digital adoption is among the highest in the world, young people report increasing levels of isolation despite constant connectivity.“It feels like everyone is talking,” said one university student, “but no one is really listening.”

Economic and social changes have also contributed to the problem.Urbanisation has drawn millions into large cities, often far from family networks. Flexible labour markets and gig work have reduced stable workplace communities. Remote work, accelerated during the pandemic, has further blurred the boundaries between professional and personal life.

In London, surveys suggest that young professionals despite being surrounded by people are among the most likely to report feeling lonely.

The traditional structures that once fostered connection extended families, neighbourhood networks, long-term employment have weakened.

As loneliness grows, so too does a new kind of market: the “loneliness economy”.

In Japan, companies offer services ranging from rented companions to staged social interactions. Customers can hire someone to share a meal, attend an event or simply listen.

Elsewhere, technology firms are developing AI-driven chatbots designed to simulate emotional support. These tools are marketed as accessible, judgment-free alternatives to human interaction.

Critics, however, warn that such solutions may deepen the problem rather than solve it.

“You cannot outsource human connection indefinitely,” said a behavioural psychologist. “At some point, the absence of real relationships becomes more acute.”

The effects of loneliness are increasingly visible in healthcare.

Doctors report patients presenting with symptoms that are as much social as medical anxiety, insomnia, chronic stress. In some cases, loneliness is identified as a contributing factor to physical illness.

Health services in several countries have begun experimenting with “social prescribing”, where patients are referred not just to medication but to community activities, support groups or volunteering opportunities.

The approach reflects a growing recognition that well-being is shaped by social as well as biological factors.

While loneliness can affect anyone, certain groups are particularly vulnerable.Older adults living alone often face shrinking social circles. Young people, navigating transitions in education and employment, may struggle to build stable relationships.

Migrants and urban newcomers can find themselves disconnected from familiar support systems.Even within families, changing dynamics have altered patterns of interaction.

Smaller household sizes and increased mobility mean fewer daily opportunities for shared experiences.

Addressing loneliness requires more than individual effort.Urban planners are beginning to design spaces that encourage interaction parks, community centres and shared public areas. Some cities are experimenting with co-housing models, where residents share facilities while maintaining private living spaces.

Educational institutions and workplaces are also being urged to prioritise social connection, recognising its role in productivity and mental health.But progress is uneven, and the scale of the challenge remains significant.

At its core, the loneliness crisis reflects a fundamental truth: human beings are social creatures.The need for connection is not optional. It is essential.

As societies continue to evolve technologically, economically and culturally the question is whether they can preserve the conditions that allow meaningful relationships to flourish.

For the man in Tokyo, and millions like him, that question is not abstract.It is lived, daily, in the quiet spaces between notifications.

The policy was signed in Jakarta by seven ministers and is designed to guide the use of digital technology and AI across formal and informal educational institutions, from early childhood education to universities.

Officials said the measure aims to balance the potential benefits of digital innovation with safeguards to protect children and teenagers from risks associated with prolonged exposure to digital platforms.

Indonesia has one of the world’s largest online populations, with nearly 230 million internet users in 2025, according to a survey by the Association of Indonesian Internet Service Providers. Generation Alpha and Generation Z together account for nearly half of that figure.

Government officials said Indonesian children spend about 7.5 hours per day on screens, raising concerns about the social and cognitive effects of prolonged digital engagement.

Pratikno, Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, said the decree was introduced partly in response to growing concerns about mental health issues among young people.

“There are a lot of factors but the number of teenagers with mental health issues are high and continue to increase, and one of the suspected triggers that have been proven academically is the uncontrolled, unmitigated use of digital technology,” Pratikno said.

He added that excessive reliance on digital tools could weaken brain activity and reduce critical thinking, cognitive development and reflective abilities among students.

The policy also seeks to promote responsible digital use and strengthen digital literacy among young Indonesians.

Meutya Hafid, Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, said the initiative was intended to ensure that children are able to use technology in a way that reflects their level of readiness.

“Indonesia has a significant number of children using the internet. Therefore, we must ensure that they are not only a target market for the technology industry, but also able to utilize technology according to their readiness,” she said.

The decree was also signed by officials including Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister Brian Yuliarto and Primary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu’ti, reflecting a cross-government approach to regulating digital technology in the education sector.