According to a government study, the social withdrawal phenomenon known as hikikomori is growing quickly in Japan. According to a survey, nearly 1.5 million individuals of working age live as social recluses, with the Covid-19 pandemic being blamed for about 20% of cases. In a survey conducted by the cabinet office in November of last year, which included 30,000 individuals in Japan between the ages of 10 and 69, it was discovered that 2% of those surveyed were hikikomori.
A significant portion of hikikomori patients claimed they had started withdrawing from mainstream society
According to the cabinet office, a significant portion of hikikomori patients claimed they had started withdrawing themselves from mainstream society as a result of marital problems and after losing or leaving their employment. In the 40-64 age group, 44.5% of respondents claimed that losing their employment had caused their behavior, while 20.6% pointed to the pandemic as the cause.
Some municipal authorities have responded to the increase in the number of recluses by taking action. From June, the Tokyo district of Edogawa will host social gatherings in the metaverse where hikikomori can connect with others through their avatars. According to a 2021 survey, the ward is home to more than 9,000 people who identify as hikikomori, including students who have ceased attending class.
The phenomenon is considered to be a reaction to the pressures of contemporary society
The social withdrawal condition known as hikikomori is becoming more common in Japan. The word describes people, typically young adults, who isolate themselves from others and stay at home for extended periods of time—sometimes years. The phenomenon is considered to be a reaction to the pressures of contemporary society, such as high academic expectations, fierce rivalry, and social isolation. It is connected to feelings of anxiety, depression, and social phobia.
Hikikomori has a major effect on both the affected people and society as a whole. Hikikomori can have catastrophic effects on those who experience it. It can be challenging for people to reintegrate into society and can result in additional mental health issues like depression and worry. In the long run, hikikomori can affect a person’s social and economic prospects, making it more difficult for them to obtain employment or establish relationships.
The phenomenon has been connected to Japan’s overall societal and political problems as well as the country’s economic stagnation
Hikikomori, however, has wider ramifications for society. Hikikomori is viewed in Japan as a sign of more significant societal issues, such as high levels of stress and competition, a lack of social support systems, and a feeling of alienation from society at large. The deterioration of traditional family units and ties to the community, as well as the demands of an intensely competitive educational system, have all been linked to the increase in hikikomori.
Hikikomori has an effect that is perceived on a much larger scale. The phenomenon has been connected to Japan’s overall societal and political problems as well as the country’s economic stagnation. Hikikomori can cause lower productivity and make it more difficult for people to add to the larger economy. Additionally, it may make demographic issues like an aging populace and a declining birth rate worse.
