Hikikomori social matter

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What is Hikikomori?

Hikikomori is people who staying at home and not participating in society for more than 6 months. 

Some people think that this is not so important issue, however, it is related to social system deeply. 

Why is Hikikomori a problem?

Hikikomori have many problem. First, there is Hikikomori's own mental health issue. Many people become less sleep, anthropophobia（対人恐怖症）and antidepressant symptoms（抗うつ症状）. Second, Hikikomori lose opportunities for employment and social connections. It is a social issue and affecting families and communities.

Are there Hikikomori outside of japan?

Yes. But definition of a hikikomori varies from country to country, so we don't know for sure what the numbers are. However, we confirm existence of Hikikomori in Korea, Italy, the USA and so on. This issue is not only for Japanese people.

What is the male/female ratio of Hikikomori?

Male:63.3% Female:36.7%

What is the most common age of Hikikomori?

Most common in the 40s. Returning to work or reintegrating into society is a big problem because it is very difficult for people in their 40s who have been out of the workforce for a long time or have no employment experience to return to work or reintegrate into society. However, Hikikomori's parents are also aging and finding it difficult to continue to support their children. It become 80-50 problem. 80-50 problem is that the situation in which withdrawn young people continue to live on the support of their parents into middle age, while the parents also become elderly, and both parents and children face difficulties in living due to income and nursing care.

What is the most common reason of Hikikomori?

1: retirement from office　

2: human relations

3: non-attendance at junior high school

Why is the number of Hikikomori increasing?

The main reason is that self-restraint due to the Corona disaster. Many people are less likely to go out for fun, and real-life events have decreased and increased online.

The difference of the reason of Hikikomori between male and female.

There is no defference between male and female, but many female Hikikomoris are hidden by the word of full-time housewife（専業主婦）.

A casual relationship between COVID-19 and increasing the number of Hikikomori.

Is there relationships between game and Hikikomori?

Partly yes. It is called ゲーム障害 (No appropriate English) and some hikikomori  depends on game. Byt there is no casual relationships between game and hikikomori. 

Is there relationships between sun light and Hikikomori?

Yes. Sun light makes people happy because we can make selotonin, which is happy hormone and vitamin D.

Is there relationships between climate and Hikikomori?

Yes. But among those who commit crimes, the percentage of those who are considered to have been in a withdrawn state is less than 5% of the total.

How do Japanese government support Hikikomori now?

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare do many support. They install Hikikomori support center every part of the country.

Recently, there is an issue about elderly caring by elderky in Japan, and is there link between Hikikomori and this issue?

Yes. There is 80-50problem in Japan. 80-50 problem is that the situation in which withdrawn young people continue to live on the support of their parents into middle age, while the parents also become elderly, and both parents and children face difficulties in living due to income and nursing care.

Hello

My name is Kyoko. I'm studying about hikikomori with my eight fellows. Our theme of study is that what is the problem of the hikikomori and how to solve the problem. 

Most people who became hikikomori had problems of interpersonal relationships. From our studies, 85.2% of hikikomori have this problem. Many people feel defficulity of interpersonal relationships. The environments are disconnedcted in thier school,  work place and so on. 

Kyoko Nomura, et al.年代別ひきこもりの課題, 予防, 対策. 2022.9.9

https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jph/advpub/0/advpub_22-025/_pdf/-char/ja

Vadim ーーーー

How many possible reasons to become Hikikomori?

There are several factors to become a Hikikomori for example academic pressure and mass use of internet. 

In article, it says highly competitive education system and social pressure regarding academic classifications and employment could be main factors to be Hikikomori. It also says Hikikomori has a side of psycho-social phenomenon produced by modern society. 

  ・  “Hikikomori | EBSCO.” EBSCO Information Services, Inc. | Www.ebsco.com, 2023, www.ebsco.com/research-starters/psychology/hikikomori.

Is there a relation between power harassment?

Yes. Power harassment in work place can be the source to be Hikikomori. However, the most considerable reason is still mental illness or depression. Pressure from people who stand high position are possible reason to feel depressed. And, it leads to become Hikikomori. There needs to support for the people who got power harassment. 

・https://jasps.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/%E3%80%90%EF%BC%93%E6%A0%A1%E3%80%91JASPS-Bulletin%EF%BC%88No.7%EF%BC%89.pdf

Is there relation between a pressure to study for enter examination to college?

As you know, eastern Asia countries are highly conscious of studying and academic background. 

A lot of Asian students commit suicide is major problem. As a result, 210 students out of 572 students commit suicide because of poor academic performance and entrance exam preparation.

・https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/001464717.pdf from the government date. 

Coeli, ・Gianluca, et al. “The Relevance of Educational Contexts in the Emergence of Social Withdrawal (Hikikomori). A Review and Directions for Future Research.” International Journal of Educational Development, vol. 99, no. 99, 1 May 2023, p. 102756, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0738059323000330, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2023.102756.

Is there difference of the reasons to become Hikikomori between male and female?

Speaking of female, little bit different from male factor to be Hikikomori. Male who become a Hikikomori tend to introverted and self-blame and tend to keep their problems to themselves so as not to cause trouble to others as a result, some people become withdrawn due to physical and mental disorders. Moreover, males being allowed to stay at home and being less visible. 

・厚生労働省. (2020). 令和2年度 ひきこもり実態調査報告書. https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_13341.html

Which prefecture has the highest Hikikomori percentage?

• Tokyo(15,187)
• Osaka（11,919）
• Aichi（11,352）
• Kanagawa（10,907）

As you can see upside, city area has high percentage of students not attending school. 

Not only are there more students in urban areas, but there is also more interpersonal pressure compared to rural areas. 

・中島ルカ（OsakaChild代表／臨床心理士・理学療法士. “【2025年最新版】不登校が多い都道府県ランキングと統計データ｜小中高校別に解説【精神科医監修】.” Osaka-Child Rebirth Lab, Osaka-Child Rebirth Lab｜40代女性のココロとカラダの再設計メディア, 5 Sept. 2023, osakachild.com/refusal-prefecture-statistics/. Accessed 22 July 2025.

Compare to other countries, why Japan has so many Hikikomori people?

There several reason to explain that. First one is cultural factor like "Collectivism". There is a phrase"“In Japan, being different is often equated with being wrong.”

Second one is as I described in first half, pressure from studying. 

Third one is because of work style. In Japan, life time employment is based, so it makes difficult to quit job or re-recruited. It means it is more difficult to get job if you once drop out than other nations. 

・“世界のひきこもりについて。 | 101カレッジ -農漁業やプログラミングをゼロから学ぶ６ヶ月伴走型の職業体験.” 101college.org, 17 May 2020, 101college.org/knowing-hikikomori-worldwide/.

・Saito, T. (2013). Hikikomori: Adolescence without end (J. Angles, Trans.). University of Minnesota Press.

Have ever the coping method was conducted in some prefecture?

We found organization in Aichi and Kumamoto prefecture. 

Each prefecture conducted telephone counseling. Both of them got more than 1000 of call per year. 

Government also supporting them with money and advertisement. 

Our NPO also wanted become like them while they are not NPO. 

“Remediation Page.” Youtu.be, 2024, youtu.be/rxo1zfXLTuc?si=vdYfdBBkG9wbAvrv. Accessed 22 July 2025.

・“引きこもり支援の実態.” Youtu.be, 2025, youtu.be/ID1-PgQbOng?si=wmvBhXhENyv-L1Rl. Accessed 22 July 2025.

What is the relation between the Japanese economy?

When parents can financially support their children, Hikikomori would not be a problem, so among the middle class, hiakikomori tends to last longer and last for aged. 

Moreover, as the birthrate declines and the population ages, this is considered as a serious loss of productive age population. 

In articles, author says that latest Hikikomori issue is due to less educational resources and less opportunity. Because of high reliance on cram schools and a private schools,  student's career paths and future are determined by family economic strength. 

Inui, Matthew. “The Silent Epidemic: The Economic Roots of Japan’s Hikikomori Epidemic.” The Generation, 4 Apr. 2025, www.the-generation.net/the-silent-epidemic-the-economic-roots-of-japans-hikikomori-epidemic/.

The Hikikomori people will decrease in the future?

It's our job to decline these kind of people. 

We found two organization 

Is there NPO or NGO to help with their matter?

I found in Saitama, there are 57 associations which includes NGO or other groops which supports hikikomori people. 

・埼玉県. “ひきこもり民間支援団体等の紹介.” 埼玉県, 2025, www.pref.saitama.lg.jp/a0705/hikikomoridantai.html. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.

Is there relation between the how wealthy their family is?

Refer to question7, the more wealthy their parents get, the higher percentage to keep Hikikomori situation longer.  

Is there specific solution on internet?

From referernces, , Japan must shift from reactive short‑term fixes to long-term trust‑based community support models to effectively reach and aid individuals experiencing long-termed social withdrawal.

・Ogino, Chaa Chaa. “Japan Needs to Rethink How It Helps Hikikomori.” The Japan Times, 16 June 2025, www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2025/06/16/japan/japan-needs-to-rethink-how-it-helps-hikikomori/.

・Yokoyama, Keiko, et al. “An Examination of the Potential Benefits of Expert Guided Physical Activity for Supporting Recovery from Extreme Social Withdrawal: Two Case Reports Focused on the Treatment of Hikikomori.” Frontiers in Psychiatry, vol. 14, 23 Mar. 2023, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10076732/#:~:text=Various%20types%20of%20physical%20activities, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1084384.

Is there relation between mental illness and depression?

Yes, depression and other mental illnesses often lead to hikikomori. Social withdrawal can be both a symptom and a cause, creating a cycle that deepens isolation and worsens mental health. 

・Park, Su Min, et al. “Association between Hikikomori (Social Withdrawal) and Depression in Korean Young Adults.” Journal of Affective Disorders, vol. 380, Jan. 2025, pp. 647–654, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40122252/, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.03.125.

I foun I found that this site above is trustful because it includes several perspective from several scientists.  The name of site is "Science Direct". 

Do people have the moment that they might become Hikikomori?

What is future problem?

 From the result, most people has what they tackle some problems that they think their not good at like talking to girls, hard studying, bid mistake in work. I unexpected that most of respondent thought it's inner problem when people become less confident. However, some people who recovered from Hikikomori thinking that "That time when distant from society. 

・Margolis, Eric. “How “Hikikomori” Shut-Ins “Start to Have Dreams for the Future.”” The Japan Times, 30 May 2025, www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/05/31/lifestyle/hikikomori-shut-ins-rehabilitation-nagano/. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.

・“Reconnecting Hikikomori to Society: Tadaaki Furuhashi / Psychiatrist, Associate Professor, Nagoya University - Direct Talk.” NHK WORLD, 2025, www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/2105200/. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.

Psychologist Perspective  Vadim

Hello students! 

I'm a psychologist. 

My Name is Brian. I am 60 years old. I live alone. 

Tackling the problem of Japanese hikikomori issue. 

I usually research specific feature of the family that includes hikikomori as a psychologist. 

My friends Satou, Sakano, Ishikawa, Sakai, and I developed the HBCL(Hikikomori Behavior Check List). 

I indicate the possible behavior to consider people as a hikikomori. 

1. Aggressive behavior

2. Social anxiety

3. Threatening behavior

4. Family avoidance behavior

5. Depression

6. Lack of activities of daily living

7. Inexplicable maladaptive behavior （Exhibited responses)

8. Nonparticipation in society

9. Decreased activity

10. Irregular life patterns 

These 10 behavioral traits are strongly related to psychological characteristic of people who are Hikikomori. 

The reason why Hikikomori is considered as Japanese particular matter is related to the Japanese collective tendencies. Historically, Japanese people have a sense of unity as a nation. Most of Hikikomori had pressure of becoming the part of group. 

Considered these factors, I suggested the most effective support will be a family support. 

I believe my future research save the Hikikomori people. 

MurasRin Murase . ひきこもりと家族に関する研究の動向及び今後の展望. Nagoya university, dx.doi.org/10.18999/nupsych.68.1.5. Accessed 2021. (thesis)

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