We all want to disconnect from society and just think about something that doesn't have to do with the jerks in our lives. Usually we spend an evening maybe even a whole weekend by ourselves.

In Japan, things are a bit different. Social pressure in Japan is heavier then in the west. You are what society thinks you are. In Japan, status and public opinion are two important factors. When you behave wrong people will look at you.

In some cases (1 million), this fear of society judgement and the desire to disconnect from it become so strong that they become “Hikikomori” (Shut in).

Photo by Francesco Jodice

Who is a Hikikomori ?

Basically, people who withdraw from society and isolate themselves to the point that they don’t talk to anyone for weeks, months and sometimes years. The term “Hikikomori (ひきこもり)” means “withdrawal” or “pulling inward”. It is used to describe a condition like an illness. It is also broadly used to refer to the person itself.

There exist several types of Hikikomori (classified by myself):

Level 1: Stays the entire day at home, doesn’t work, goes out occasionally

Level 2: Stays the entire week at home, doesn’t work, goes out less than once a week

Level 3: Stays the entire month at home, doesn’t work, depends on others to get him food

Level 4: Stays at home for years and depends on others to get him food

“The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare defines hikikomori as people who refuse to leave their house and, thus, isolate themselves from society in their homes for a period exceeding six months”

"The psychiatrist Tamaki Saitō defines hikikomori as A state that has become a problem by the late twenties, that involves cooping oneself up in one’s own home and not participating in society for six months or longer, but that does not seem to have another psychological problem as its principal source.”

source of the quotes: Wikipedia

It can be called a symptom of anxiety or personality disorder.

How is a Hikikomori ?

A Hikikomori, as you can already infer, is a person that shuts himself into his room. He very rarely comes out of his room. They usually spend the day sleeping and over the night they do all their activities like playing video games, watching anime, etc.

On very few occasions they get out to the convince store to get the things they need. Sometimes they go and buy some video games or DVDs.

The interesting fact is that many Hikikomoris live with their parents or from a rent that parents pay. It may seen odd but parents in many occasions feel also guilty for pushing their children so much. That is why they support their Hikikomori children.

Treatments are extensive. There are people that offer their help to get Hikikomoris out of their room. There are even companies that offer help. These companies sent usually a women to the room of the Hikikomori and start a conversion through the door. The idea is to get them out and provide them with the help they need.

There are even humanitarian groups that help Hikikomori reintegrate into society. These groups are lead by ex-hikikomoris and these comprehensive conversations help them a lot.

Hikikomoris are all over the World

Hikikomoris exist everywhere. The western equivalent would be NEET. It is not something that you will find exclusively in Japan. The difference is that Japanese society is hard. In Japanese society success is very important and every failure is seen as a disgrace.

Parents tell their children to work hard or they will end like Hikikomori. You have to show that you are useful for the economic growth of the country. There is a thin line that separates everyone from Honor and Shame.

Further Media

If you want to learn more about Hikikomori and these people think and behave, then there are anime and J-Dramas that show exactly that.

Welcome to the N.H.K

Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko

J-Drama: Densha Otoko

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKzpSwE_l9U]