Japan is often associated with a harmonious, disciplined, and prosperous society. However, behind this façade lies a darker reality for many young people and adults: the phenomenon of hikikomori . These people choose to live withdrawn from society, sometimes for months or even years. What are the causes of this extreme withdrawal? How do families and Japanese society try to deal with it?
Hikikomori: What are we talking about?
The term hikikomori (引きこもり) literally means "to withdraw" or "to withdraw into oneself." In general, it describes a person, often a young adult, who lives voluntarily isolated in their room, cut off from any direct social contact. These people generally avoid interactions even with their own family…
This phenomenon, first recognized in the 1990s, has grown alarmingly. It is now estimated that there are nearly a million hikikomori in Japan, although exact figures are difficult to assess due to the hidden nature of the problem. But why do so many young Japanese choose to cut themselves off from the world?
Causes of the hikikomori phenomenon: Social pressure and high expectations
Japanese society is often described as demanding and very achievement-oriented. From childhood, Japanese people are under a lot of pressure to succeed in their studies and get good jobs. The competition to get into the best schools and universities is fierce, and failure is often seen as a shame for the person and their family. For some, this pressure becomes unbearable, to the point of withdrawing into themselves.
Additionally, the concept of honne (what one really thinks) and tatemae (what one shows to others) plays an important role ( article on the subject here ! ). Japanese people are often required to hide their personal feelings and thoughts in order to preserve social harmony. This tension between the individual and society can become a burden, especially for those who have difficulty expressing their frustrations or failures.
Furthermore, the persistent taboo surrounding mental health in Japan often prevents families from seeking professional help, making the situation worse.
The daily life of hikikomori: A life in retreat
The life of a hikikomori is often marked by a monotonous and isolated routine. Most of them spend their days locked in their rooms, rarely going out, and relying on their parents for meals and basic needs. Their personal space becomes both a refuge and a prison.
Hikikomori spend a lot of time in solitary activities like playing video games, reading manga, or surfing the Internet. For some, the virtual world becomes an escape where they can interact without the pressure of face-to-face social interactions. But this lifestyle often leads to a vicious cycle: the more they isolate themselves, the harder it becomes to reintegrate into society.
Some hikikomori maintain contact with the outside world through social media or online games, but these interactions remain superficial and do not offer the same support as in-person contact.
Families facing hikikomori: Between shame and despair
For families, having a hikikomori child is often experienced as a difficult ordeal. Not only because it is painful to see your child withdraw into himself, but also because the phenomenon is still perceived as a taboo subject in Japanese society. Families are often ashamed and prefer to keep the problem secret, fearing that those around them will judge them.
Parents are often left alone to try to understand and manage the situation. Some turn to hikikomori consultants , specialists who help families communicate with their withdrawn loved ones, and offer strategies to encourage them to come out of their isolation.
In some cases, parents turn to rehabilitation programs or specialized centers for hikikomori, where professionals work with the young people to help them reintegrate into society. But these initiatives are expensive and few in number, leaving many families without a solution.
Initiatives and solutions to combat the phenomenon
The Japanese government has begun to recognize the scale of the hikikomori phenomenon and to set up support programs. Reception centers and associations offer specialized support, allowing hikikomori to relearn how to socialize at their own pace. Some of these programs use group therapy, creative workshops, or outdoor activities to restore a taste for social life.
There are also online support groups for hikikomori and their families. These groups allow those affected to share their experiences and feel less isolated. In addition, some hikikomori are successfully reintegrating into society by finding online jobs, which allow them to work from home without the pressure of in-person interactions.
However, much remains to be done to break the taboos around mental health in Japan and to provide more accessible support to those struggling.
