Japan:'Hikikomori' bedroom hermits should be regarded as national crisis

Mainichi Daily News ^ | 07/27/10

[TigerLikesRooster]

'Hikikomori' bedroom hermits should be regarded as national crisis

There are approximately 230,000 people who almost constantly shut themselves in their rooms except to go to nearby convenience stores, according to a survey conducted by the Cabinet Office. The number increases to about 700,000 if those who only go out to do something hobby-related are included.

Moreover, there are an estimated 1.55 million potential so-called 'hikikomori' who have felt like shutting themselves in their own rooms. Most of them are young people.

As the population of young people declines due to falling birthrates, the statistics have raised questions about the future of Japan.

Hikikomori are defined as those who shut themselves in their homes for at least six months but are not involved in child care or housework even though they are not sick.

Problems involving shut-ins have been pointed out over the past 15 years, but only experts and nonprofit organizations have worked on the issue, with little public support. The government has been late in responding to the situation and taken only stopgap measures. Numerous cases have ended in tragic incidents, and the situation was worsened as a result of treatment and education that lacked solid scientific foundations.

[Todd_Gray]

The New York Times had an interesting article (see Shutting Themselves In) about this a couple of years ago.

[Red Badger]

Then there’s fear of hairy sweaters...........angoraphobia.....

[Mr. K]

No wonder, if you see what happens to people on busses in Japan

[equalitybeforethelaw]

I guess being Japanese sucks? Who knew people would tire of video games?

[Old Grumpy]

Stop, yer killin me!

[Red Badger]

Then there’s fear of African Communists.........Angolaphobia..........

[null and void]

*GROAN*

[Teacher317]

then there's the fear of laboratory assistants... Igoraphobia...

[null and void]

Stop before we hurt you.

[Mr. K]

angkoraphobia is the fear of cambodia... did you know?

[null and void]

Keep that up and we’ll give you fear of (being) squash(ed) - a-gourd-o-phobia, punkin...

[Red Badger]

Then there’s fear of Turkish Baths........Ankaraphobia....

[pappyone]

Don’t forget the fear of visiting new places..ain’tgoingphobia.

[DTogo]

This is nothing new - Otaku or Otaku-zoku have been written about for years. Technology shut-ins, or ghosts.

Yes, the Otaku (uber geeks) of the past who used to just collect comics, conduct a hobby to the extreme, or have other geeky behaviour are often inadvertantly enabled by family members (and the Internet) to completely shut themselves away.

Very weird on so many levels.

日本＊ピング＊ (kono risuto ni hairitai ka detai wo shirasete kudasai : let me know if you want on or off this list)

[Red Badger]

There’s fear of small countries.........andorraphobia..........

[PennsylvaniaMom]

There is the fear of Ms. Jolie...Angelinaphobia...

[PennsylvaniaMom]

The Fear of Bass Nation...Anglerphobia...

[null and void]

Or fear of the Taj Mahal’s location...

Agraphobia

[Teacher317]

I adore-a-phobia

[null and void]

Or of Ohio, Akronophodia