We all have those days where we just don’t want to go to school and do nothing at home to avoid anything to do with the outside world. But what if you stayed in that realm of comfort and boredom all by yourself for the rest of your life?

What if I told you that there are millions of people here in Japan who are unable to go back into the outside world, cut off from society, isolated in their homes? These people who are in a constant state of seclusion are called “Hikikomori” and literally translated, this means “pulling inward” or “being confined”: it has become a growing problem in Japan. 

Many people are critical of those who suffer from hikikomori, and are under the impression that they should just go back out into society and get a job to earn money to build up their life again. However, these skeptics are unaware of the fact that those with hikikomori are not staying in their bedrooms for months or even years by choice. 

Japan is a country that has a strict societal structure; you go to school, you graduate, go to university, graduate, get a job, get married, etc. So it is no wonder that some people crack under the pressure of society and cannot fulfill these expectations that are presented to them. 

Although they may not have initially had any problems, it is very common that students get a grade that is not sufficient to go to a university and stay with their parents to “figure things out”, which turns into a temporary cycle of staring at a screen and going out at midnight to get food from the local convenience store. Or, after graduating from university, the person might need time to decide which profession they want to go into, or what career path they will choose. This is also a time where many find themselves unable to include themselves in society and fall into the hole of isolation. 

According to an article by nippon.com, the hidden population of the hikikomori people aged 15-64 has exceeded the number of 1.15 million people, and experts say that this number could very easily reach two million very soon. Another reason that the cycle of endless isolation is even more difficult to get out of is because unlike homeless people, hikikomori people usually live with their parents and are provided with food and shelter, and live quite comfortably, at least in physical terms.

One expert even illustrated this cycle of isolation with a diagram, explaining what happens over the years to the people who are stuck in their bedrooms:

Tamaki Saito says that there is usually an intersection between the individual, family, and society, and an average person will cross different lines being part of the society. However, with hikikomori people, as they distance themselves from society and their family, the family also distances itself from society because of shame and fear of societal criticism. 

This societal criticism is also something that is an issue in Japan, because in incidents where hikikomori people have attacked civilians like in the Kawasaki stabbings, where 18 were injured and three were killed, the media is critical of the families. Whereas in Western countries, the media coverage is usually associated with grief and mourning for the family and friends of the victims, Japan comments more on the family and background of the person to generalize and demonize the hikikomori people. People with disorders or disabilities are often seen as the responsibility of the family, and they are also often the ones blamed for incidents such as the Kawasaki stabbing.

This culture of blaming the families and the people themselves is very unhealthy and takes a toll on many people’s mental health, causing even the families which should not be held accountable for these things to shoulder more unnecessary problems. Japan needs to be more accepting of people in these difficult circumstances, and understand that the families are not responsible for what happens. 

Pichamon from grade 9 told me what she thinks about this topic, saying, "It is appropriate that we don't alienate them despite them withdrawing from society. People have different experiences and backgrounds so I don't think they should be judged for that. Getting people with mental illnesses the help they need is important, and it is everybody's job to make this world a better place. I think that the hikikomori people should find ways to cope with their conditions along with the support of people close to them."

As a community that is based in Japan and that exists alongside hikikomori culture, it is important for us to remember that sometimes, as hard as it is, it's our responsibility to check in with our friends and make sure that they are doing all right to prevent more people, especially our friends, from falling into the hole of isolation. 

Mental health is just as important as physical health to maintain, especially in difficult times such as these, with COVID-19 separating many of us from family and friends. If you ever feel stuck or lost, go here to get free, professional counseling in English through texting or calling. For Japanese speaking counseling, go here.

On that note, happy holidays and enjoy your break!

Sources: nippon.com