Now do this put-the-text-back-together activity.
This is the text (if you need help).
The Japanese government now has a "minister of loneliness". It is the first time Japan has had such a minister. Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga created the role in early February. He asked Tetsushi Sakamoto to fill the new position. Mr Suga wanted to do something about the rise in suicide cases. The number of people taking their own lives has risen during the pandemic. Japan's National Police Agency showed that 20,919 people died by suicide in 2020. This is 750 more than the previous year. It is also first consecutive rise in suicides in 11 years. Mr Sakamoto told reporters: "I hope to promote activities that prevent loneliness and social isolation and to improve the ties between people."
The police agency reported that there has been a much bigger rise in suicides among women and young people. Prime Minister Suga said women have been struggling with loneliness since the coronavirus pandemic started in early 2020. He told reporters: "Women are suffering from isolation more than men are, and the number of suicides is on a rising trend." There has been a 70 per cent year-on-year increase in the number of women taking their own lives. Yoko Suzuki, a 23-year-old designer who lives in Tokyo, said she has suffered from loneliness since coronavirus started. She said: "Not seeing people smile behind their mask makes me sad and lonely." She added: "I want to see happy faces."
Comprehension questions- How many ministers of loneliness has Japan had before this one?
- When did Japan's leader create this post?
- What has caused an increase in the number of suicides?
- Which organisation reported a rise in the number of suicides?
- What does the loneliness minister want to improve between people?
- In which group of people has there been a rise in suicides besides women?
- What did Mr Suga say women are struggling with?
- By how much has the number of suicides among women risen?
- What is Yoko Suzuki's job?
- What does Yoko Suzuki want to see?
Back to the loneliness lesson.
