By Assoc Prof Dr Khairunneezam Mohd Noor and Assoc Prof Dr Nuruliza Roslan

Kodokushi, a heartbreaking social phenomenon, has become a growing concern in Japan and is now gradually emerging across Southeast Asia, including in Malaysia.

The Japanese word “Kodokushi” translates to “lonely death”, referring to individuals who pass away alone in their homes, undiscovered for days, weeks, or even months.

These deaths reflect more than just personal tragedies. They represent the decline of human connection, the breakdown of family structures, and the erosion of communal values in an increasingly individualistic and technology-driven world.

Kodokushi no longer confined to Japan

The phenomenon was first identified in the late 1980s during Japan’s economic downturn. Many older men who lost their jobs and never married ended up living alone in small urban apartments, gradually isolating themselves from society. They died quietly, with no one noticing their absence.

According to Japan’s Ministry of Health, over 76,000 people were recorded to have died alone at home in 2024 and the majority being elderly above the age of 65.

In response, Japanese local governments have established dedicated units to handle such cases and manage the unclaimed bodies found in advanced stages of decomposition.

Kodokushi is no longer confined to Japan. The pattern has begun to surface in countries like Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.

In Singapore, over 700 cases of seniors dying alone were reported in 2020, prompting the government to establish the Silver Generation Office (SGO) under the Ministry of Social and Family Development. This agency coordinates volunteer visits to elderly individuals living alone to provide social contact and ensure their wellbeing.

Similar initiatives in Thailand and Indonesia include Village Health Volunteers and Posyandu Lansia which is the community-based elderly health and care centres.

Malaysia, too, has seen signs of Kodokushi taking root. Several cases have been reported in major cities like Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Penang where elderly individuals living alone were found dead in their homes, only discovered when neighbours noticed an unpleasant odour.

This shift reflects broader societal changes: the rise of urban migration, breakdowns in intergenerational living, and growing social disconnection.

From an Islamic viewpoint

From an Islamic perspective, such deaths are not just unfortunate but deeply troubling. Islam strongly emphasises the importance of community ties and social responsibilities.

In Surah An-Nisa’ (4:36), Allah commands believers to be kind not only to parents and relatives but also to neighbours, whether near or far. In a hadith, Prophet Muhammad SAW said, “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself” (narrated by Bukhari & Muslim).

The occurrence of Kodokushi reflects a failure to uphold fardhu kifayah, the communal duty to care for vulnerable members of society, such as the elderly, persons with disabilities, and those living alone.

Multi-level approach needed

To address this growing concern, a multi-level approach is necessary.

Malaysia can draw lessons from its neighbours by reviving community spirit through local initiatives like neighbourhood watch groups (rukun tetangga), home visit programmes, and social activities that foster stronger bonds between neighbours.

Local authorities could introduce a registry to track elderly residents who live alone, enabling more regular welfare checks.

Mosques and suraus, beyond being places of worship, can serve as social monitoring centres. Imams and mosque committees should be trained to identify and support isolated individuals, especially regular congregants who suddenly disappear from the community radar.

In addition, public awareness must be strengthened through Friday sermons and community talks to remind society that nurturing social ties is a form of worship.

Youth groups and NGOs can be mobilised to engage with isolated individuals through compassionate outreach.

Addressing loneliness must also include mental health support by removing stigma and encouraging those facing emotional distress to seek help without shame.

In today’s fast-paced world, no one deserves to die in silence. Kodokushi is more than a lonely death. It is a warning that we risk losing our humanity if we continue to neglect our social responsibilities.

Islam teaches us to protect and honour every soul. If we are truly committed to building a compassionate society, we must begin with one simple yet powerful act – checking in on the neighbour we have never spoken to.

-- BERNAMA

Assoc Prof Dr Khairunneezam Mohd Noor is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Leadership and Management, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia.

Assoc Prof Dr Nuruliza Roslan is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia.