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.

[TigerLikesRooster]

P!

[central_va]

I’m turning Japanese, I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so...

[BenLurkin]

Time to push your little birdies out of the nest, Mama birds.

[Cicero]

You need to instill a love of bacon and eggs in them. Then they will duly arise and have breakfast.

[sourcery]

Agoraphobia

[Candor7]

Sounds like a lot of we hobbiests, who are retired. Yard work, the range, and back home.Life on hold?

[brownsfan]

Population density is a serious issue. I seem to recall studies conducted on animals, and when the population density got to a critical level, all manner of odd and destructive behavior emerged.

[Red Badger]

Maybe they’re afraid of Global Warming..........algoreaphobia.....

[drangundsturm]

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

LOL. It's pretty hard to procreate if you spend all your time alone in your room.

[Red Badger]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_World_Inside

[toast]

After visiting Tokyo, I would chalk this up to nothing more than a fear of crowded trains.

[mick]

Oh,oh...hope they don't think a solution is to mobilize these guys for a march into Manchuria again.

[Psalm 144]

Is a subscription to at least one MMORPG and stacks of styrofoam carryout sushi containers in your future?

[ladyvet]

Take away their computers....they’ll come out.

[Psalm 144]

Take away their computers....they’ll come out.

************

Indeed. Hmmm. Time to log, I think.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I seem to recall studies conducted on animals, and when the population density got to a critical level, all manner of odd and destructive behavior emerged.

Homosexuality being one of them.

[Old Grumpy]

“algoreaphobia”

That’s a good one. I gotta remember that one.

[j.argese]

Then who will write for DU and the Daily Kos?

[sbMKE]

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