In the afternoon of September 10, 2025, an international lecture on “Research on Loneliness and Social Isolation: Challenges and Strategies” was held at the School of Public Health, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University (KUSPH). The lecture was delivered by Dr. Keming Yang, Associate Professor of Sociology at Durham University, UK, and JSPS BRIDGE Fellow. About 20 faculty members and students from KUSPH participated in this hybrid-format lecture (face-to-face and online via ZOOM).
Dr. Yang began by introducing the importance of loneliness and social isolation in contemporary society. He reviewed definitions and typologies of loneliness, such as transient, situational, chronic, social, emotional, and existential forms. He then examined existing measurement tools, including the UCLA and De Jong Gierveld scales, as well as initiatives such as the UK Office for National Statistics indicator and the European Loneliness Survey, pointing out their limitations and suggesting a framework based on frequency, intensity, duration, and contextual factors.
In the following section, he addressed the critical question of when loneliness becomes harmful, and argued for a framework to define and diagnose “pathological loneliness”. He also shared practice examples from the UK, including community-based programs such as social prescribing, which links individuals to support services through local charities and health workers.
Finally, Dr. Yang reminded that promoting social connection alone is not enough. Without directly addressing loneliness, some individuals may remain overlooked and stigmatized. He concluded that policies should balance both—reducing loneliness and fostering social connection—to achieve lasting impact.