Mari Yamamoto

Former Director-General
Office for Policy on Loneliness and Isolation
Cabinet Secretariat, Government of Japan

Since joining the Ministry of Health and Welfare (now the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) in 1987, Mari has been responsible for legal systems and policymaking in the areas of social welfare, child abuse prevention, health insurance, and employment of foreign nationals. She has worked for the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of the Environment, the Cabinet Office (gender equality and food risk assessment), the Cabinet Bureau of Personnel Affairs, and the Miyagi Prefectural Government. In addition, as the Deputy Mayor of Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture, she reorganized and integrated public and private hospitals. In 2021, as the Director General of the Social Welfare and War Victims' Relief Bureau of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, she promoted measures to realize a community-based society. From 2022, as Head of the Office for Policy on Loneliness and Isolation, Cabinet Secretariat, she was in charge of systematizing policies and introducing new management methods in cooperation with the public, private and NPO sectors. Mari achieved promotional legislation that comprehensively stipulates measures against loneliness and isolation for all citizens. After retiring in March 2024, she is currently engaged in writing as a visiting researcher at Toyo University's Research Center for Development of Welfare Society, and is also engaged in public interest activities as a board member of the Bochō Kyouiku Kai Foundation.