『ギャンブル依存症は”病気”だという理解促進と普及啓発を』令和6年4月3日厚生労働委員会

Summary

The transcript discusses the growing concern of gambling addiction in Japan, especially among young people during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the need for better education, awareness, and stricter regulations to combat this issue. The conversation involves various stakeholders, including government officials and the public, addressing the lack of effective measures such as posters and the insufficient budget allocated for awareness campaigns. The discussion also touches on the role of online gambling, the importance of treating gambling addiction as a serious illness, and the need for more accessible and specialized medical institutions to support those affected.

Takeaways

• 😢 The issue of gambling addiction is highlighted, with personal stories of family breakdowns and struggles shared during the discussion.
• 👦 A personal account of a son's experience with game addiction during his elementary school years, leading to concerns about his future and the drastic measures taken by the parent to address it.
• 📈 There has been a significant increase in young people, particularly in their 20s and 30s, suffering from gambling addiction, especially with the rise of online casinos and betting platforms.
• 🚔 The police have been strengthening enforcement against online gambling, with a notable increase in the number of cases and individuals involved from 59 to 107 in just one year.
• 📊 The number of crimes committed due to gambling addiction is alarmingly high, with 2429 cases reported in the year mentioned, indicating the widespread impact on families and society.
• 🚫 Efforts to raise awareness about the illegality of online casinos and gambling through posters and collaborations with consumer agencies are being made, but the effectiveness is questioned.
• 💡 Suggestions are made to use targeted online advertising and educational campaigns in schools to better address and prevent gambling addiction, especially among the younger generation.
• 🏫 The role of education in preventing gambling addiction is emphasized, with calls for more effective teaching materials and awareness programs that resonate with children and adolescents.
• 🏥 The need for better medical support and specialized institutions for treating gambling addiction is discussed, along with the challenges faced in accessing these services.
• 💰 The budget allocated for gambling addiction prevention and awareness is criticized as insufficient, with a push for more funding to create impactful educational content.
• 🛡️ There is a call for stronger legal regulations and enforcement similar to those for tobacco and alcohol to combat the growing problem of gambling addiction.

Q & A

What is the main issue being discussed in the script?

The main issue discussed in the script is the problem of gambling addiction, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the measures being taken to address it, including legal and educational responses.

What is the role of the speaker, Fukushima Shinobu, in the discussion?

Fukushima Shinobu appears to be a concerned citizen or representative who is actively participating in the discussion about gambling addiction, sharing personal anecdotes and advocating for more effective measures to combat the issue.

What is the connection between the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in gambling addiction cases?

The script suggests that the pandemic has led to an increase in gambling addiction cases, possibly due to people spending more time at home and having increased access to online gambling platforms.

What measures has the police department taken to address online gambling?

The police department has been strengthening enforcement against online gambling. They have reported an increase in the number of cases, indicating their active role in addressing the issue.

What is the significance of the mention of 'red online casino is a crime' poster distributed by the Consumer Affairs Agency and the police?

The 'red online casino is a crime' poster is part of an awareness campaign to inform the public about the illegality of online casinos and to deter people from engaging in online gambling.

What is the current state of gambling addiction treatment and support in Japan?

The script mentions that there is a need for more awareness and better support systems for gambling addiction treatment. It suggests that the current facilities and resources may be insufficient or not well-known to the public.

What is the role of the education sector in addressing gambling addiction?

The education sector is involved in providing guidance and education about the dangers of excessive gambling and the importance of adhering to legal regulations. This includes incorporating such topics into school curricula and providing educational materials.

What is the government's stance on advertising related to gambling?

The government's stance, as discussed in the script, is to respect the autonomous efforts of related businesses in advertising while implementing necessary policies to prevent gambling addiction.

How does the script address the issue of young people being drawn to new types of gambling, such as online casinos and game betting?

The script acknowledges the rise in young people becoming addicted to new types of gambling, such as online casinos and game betting, and calls for more effective measures to prevent and treat this issue.

What is the role of the National Police Agency in raising awareness about the dangers of online gambling?

The National Police Agency collaborates with the Consumer Affairs Agency to create and distribute posters and other educational materials to raise awareness about the illegality and risks associated with online gambling.

What suggestions are made in the script for improving the current approach to gambling addiction?

Suggestions in the script include increasing the budget for public awareness campaigns, improving educational resources, enhancing the medical and counseling support system, and considering stricter regulations similar to those applied to tobacco advertising.