R&D PROJECTS

Project Overview

There are children and young people who experience social isolation and loneliness and social exclusion

Cases of social exclusion attributable to low wellbeing and social isolation and loneliness are becoming increasingly apparent among children and young people. Factors behind social exclusion among children and young people include individual characteristics, such as congenital disorders; problems in family environment; and problems in school or workplace environment. In addition, our research team has identified some processes of exclusion, namely, a negative loop where one repeatedly encounters a situation of “not being understood by others,” causes troubles and becomes more excluded by others, another negative loop where one fails to nurture self-esteem and becomes more socially withdrawn, and a pattern where a family as a whole contains complex problems and becomes socially isolated.

Establishment of an “Anywhere Door” model that allows people to be connected to others and be included in a circle of mutual support, no matter where they “encounter” each other

We will promote understanding of the processes leading to social isolation and loneliness through quantitative analysis of the data of public assistance recipients and the data of the Japan COVID-19 and Society Internet Study (JACSIS), as well as case studies of children and youth who have received help in the Nagoya City Children and Young People Consultation Center and KYOTO SCOPE. In addition, we apply machine learning to classify the characteristics of children in households with public assistance into subgroups, and then use the results to prioritize support and develop effective support measures for each subgroup. We will build the “Anywhere Door” model in fields with which welfare offices in Japan and the fields in Kyoto and Nagoya have involvement. It will match support plans to each subgroup and present them to supporters at welfare offices. We will link support plans to a “Social Resources Map” to be constructed with key organizations nationwide with the aim of creating a model capable of being disseminated nationwide even after the project ends.

Q&A

Please tell us more about the social vision this project aims to achieve for the primary prevention of social isolation and loneliness.

The “Anywhere Door” model will be more than just a place for networks of concerned parties to be created. It will also provide the setting for the emergence of activities and settings as social resources to keep people from falling into loneliness and isolation. Those activities and venues will allow people’s own potential and capabilities to be drawn out, allowing them to continue living in their own way. And in this way, they will become “living spaces” where people are less likely to feel socially isolated or lonely. People who received support later become supporters themselves. We aim to implement the project by applying the latest data analysis and online communication technologies. We hope that this project will spread quickly throughout the country.

What are the biggest challenges (bottlenecks) in achieving the social vision above?

The most important point is whether or not useful analysis results and tools can be provided to each “setting” where encounters and connections with people grappling with problems continue. It is also important that the tools can be applicable to diverse settings. Through this project, we will achieve these goals mainly by making full use of experience in comprehensive community care systems for older people and health support for households receiving public assistance that has been accumulated heretofore as well as knowhow in using resources (e.g., companies, etc.) for implementation.

Participating/Cooperating Institutions

• Kyoto University, Keio University, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Naragakuen University, Taisei Gakuin University, Yukioka School of Allied Health Professions, Japan Fundraising Association, Grassroots Mutual Support Project, Kigyo Shien Net, KYOTO SCOPE, Nagoya Consultation Center for Children and Young People, Kitanihon Computer Service Co. Ltd., and others.

Report

• FY2021 Research and Development Report (Japanese) (PDF: 490KB)

Related Links

• KYOTO SCOPE
• Japan Fundraising Association
• Grassroots Mutual Support Project
• Kigyo Shien Net