Japan's elderly population faces a second threat from the coronavirus. In many cases, isolation is weakening their physical and cognitive functions, raising the risk of frailty and depression. Doctors are trying to tackle this scourge with an approach called social prescribing. The aim is not merely to use medicines, but to treat the underlying problems by helping patients reconnect with the world around them. We ask some experts how they are using social prescribing to break down barriers and build communities.Guests: Nitta Kunio (Chair, Japan Home Health Care Alliance)

Celebrated manga artist Saito Takao died aged 84 in September. His "Golgo 13" series runs to more than 200 volumes; a Guinness World Record. He established the "gekiga" style of realistic manga that appeals to adult readers. "Golgo 13" storylines featured forward-looking subjects, such as a nuclear plant accident and a deadly virus outbreak, long before they became reality. We take a look at what Saito wanted to express in his work as well as the secret that enables the series to keep going even after his death.Guest: Nagasaki Takashi (Former editor of "Golgo 13")

Solitary deaths at home and suicides are increasing in Japan amid the pandemic. The locations of these incidents are known as "stigmatized properties." It's a label that can drastically lower the real estate value, as well as making it very difficult to find a new tenant or owner. Moreover, due to the perceived risk, elderly people living alone may find themselves rejected when trying to rent an apartment. We interviewed realtors specializing in such properties, and the operator of a well-known search site for stigmatized properties to shine some light on a dark side of Japanese society.Guest: Tamaoki Myoyu (Buddhist monk/nurse)