The Rise of Hikikomori – Plugged In, Best TV Shows to Binge Watch

Inside a small, dark Japanese bedroom, a weary 28-year-old man scrolls the Internet. His days consist of scrolling on his computer, using the bathroom, eating and sleeping. He still lives with his middle-class parents, though he hasn’t even started looking for a job. He scarcely has the motivation to even leave his bedroom to retrieve the food his parents have made for him.

And he hasn’t left his home in years.

He’s one example of a person dubbed hikikomori—a Japanese word describing someone who withdraws from society. Specifically, they don’t physically go in to work or school, isolating themselves in their home or even bedroom for a period longer than six months. And Japan estimates that nearly 2 million citizens (1.6% of its population) fit this description.

The concept of hikikomori has been around since the late 1980s in Japan. But where this phenomenon was once thought to be a culturally bound issue—the result of widescale retreat from stringent societal pressures regarding Japanese school and work performance and expectations—experts warn that this silent epidemic is spreading globally. 

Defining Hikikomori

Those dubbed hikikomori suffer from a kind of social anxiety that is elsewhere defined as “extreme social withdrawal.” For a variety of reasons, they voluntarily sequester themselves away from the world at large, opting instead to remain in the comfort of their home or bedroom, where they maintain as few relationships as necessary. They tend to have higher rates of depression and anxiety, and the self-imposed isolation only exacerbates those issues.

Across the world, men between the ages of 15 and 34 make up the largest hikikomori demographic, though women in this age group are similarly affected. Many, though not all, live with their parents well into adulthood—although a smaller portion lives alone, working remote jobs to survive. And one study differentiates between hikikomori and those who are defined as “NEET” (Not in Education, Employment or Training), since the latter may still engage in society despite their apathy towards work.

As the rate of hikikomori continues to grow, various governments have started researching ways to combat the issue. Japan, for instance, has opened government-funded community centers specifically for hikikomori. In South Korea, hikikomori are offered nearly $500 per month as a stipend to encourage them to reintegrate into society.

The rate of hikikomori varies by nation but tends to increase in countries with higher rates of connection to the Internet. And initial studies regarding the United States estimate that the rate of those living here as hikikomori could be as high as 2.7% (nearly 9 million people).

What Causes Hikikomori?

While there is no definitive issue that causes someone to become hikikomori, there are some factors that increase the chance that someone may choose to adopt the solitary lifestyle. According to “Contemporary Hermits: A Developmental Psychopathology Account of Extreme Social Withdrawal (Hikikomori) in Young People” (a study published by the Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review), underlying psychiatric disorders, societal pressures, adverse relationships and excessive use of the Internet all increase the risk of someone becoming a “contemporary hermit.”

It’s important to note that, in the case of psychiatric disorders, becoming hikikomori is more often the result rather than the cause of a mental health issue. For instance, someone with depression may be more likely to socially isolate themselves. But “Contemporary Hermits” identifies five neurological disorders that are positively associated with someone becoming hikikomori: schizophrenia, social anxiety disorder, depression, autism spectrum disorder and avoidant personality disorder.

In terms of societal pressures, the study suggests that a competitive job market might be another reason for the retreat. With teens and young adults increasingly believing that college is a required step toward obtaining a job that offers financial security, the added pressure and economic investment could feel like impossibly heavy burdens. So those who believe they’re falling behind their peers may experience the urge to simply give up the rat race altogether. It’s no wonder, then, that the majority of hikikomori come from middle- to higher-class backgrounds, since their parents can afford for them to stay home instead of becoming financially independent and moving out.

The study also highlights that, in just over three-fifthsof all hikikomori cases, “dysfunctional family dynamics were clearly present” and were “characterized by high levels of conflict and instability, poor communication, excessive control, lack of empathy, and excessive criticism, which are all features that potentially endanger the development and emotional well-being of the individual family members.”

Regarding adverse relationships, the study’s authors also hypothesize that parenting styles that either overindulge children or overprotect them could lead to a learned dependency that could encourage hikikomori tendencies. And outside of the home, another study published by Cambridge University Press found a positive relationship between “peer victimization and perceived peer acceptance” with self- and parent-reported withdrawal levels.

Excessive Internet use can also reinforce a solitary lifestyle. Government reports indicate that “adolescents who spent more than 3 hours per day on social media faced double the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes including symptoms of depression and anxiety”—mental health issues directly correlated to hikikomori. Additionally, those who feel better locked away from the world are further supported by grocery and food delivery apps, remote work and endless online entertainment—factors that allow someone to receive many basic needs without ever having to step outside.

What Can Parents Do?

Because there is no singular cause for why someone might become hikikomori, there’s likewise no singular answer for parents who fear their child may be on this path. But there is hope, as many self-identified hikikomori have gone on to escape the lifestyle. (This report from CNN covers a handful of such cases.)

Many contemporary hermits desire a return to society. Anecdotally, upon scrolling through a subreddit dedicated to hikikomori, many posts spoke about feelings of helplessness and falling behind peers. Unfortunately, most do not actively seek out help.

Because of that—and because more than half of all hikikomori cases are paired with a sense of social inadequacy—parents should try to intentionally communicate and connect with their child on a deeper level. After all, since the majority of hikikomori cases are connected to feelings of familial isolation or relational failure, rebuilding that bond can be the first step to overcoming the issue. And even if the underlying issue isn’t due to perceived inadequacy, making the effort to connect may reveal to you what the underlying issue is.

In general, studies find that providing easy ways for hikikomori to slowly reintegrate into society step-by-step can assuage the issue. Remember that hikikomori struggle with feeling overwhelmed and helpless, so reminding them of all the schoolwork they’re missing won’t help the problem.

Instead, provide small tasks—like doing the dishes, taking out the trash or cooking breakfast—to boost hikikomori confidence levels. One study even found that playing Pokémon Go was effective in motivating some hikikomori to leave the home—a step that can eventually lead to overcoming their anxieties about the outside world.

Remember that hikikomori retreat into the darkness because they’ve largely felt like they can’t keep up with society’s expectations. Being that light in their life and coming softly beside them can be just the boost they need to get back on their feet again.