Forum - View topicINTEREST: Percentage of Middle-Aged Hikikomori Unexpectedly High
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mdo7
 Posts: 6818 Location: Katy, Texas, USA |
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OK, wow after reading that story, I now find hikikomori lifestyle a bit more weird and disturbing.
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Cutiebunny
 Posts: 1776 |
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Interesting that they use the term "unexpectedly" high. Really? Did no one honestly expect that there would be so many unemployed, isolated adults when taking into account the economy and the expectations that its society often unfairly imposes upon others?
While it's nice to see prefectures take a positive step towards reintroducing people to society, therapy should be strongly considered. The man quoted at the end of the article sounds very depressed and is probably in need of some help. It saddens me that it sounds as if his self worth is determined by employment. |
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mdo7
Posts: 6818 Location: Katy, Texas, USA |
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Well expect more of Hikikomori to reach an all-time high since Japan's on recession again. |
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mrsatan
Encyclopedia Editor
 Posts: 916 |
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I had a taste of the ijime and hikikomori lifestyle in Japan and these people have my utmost sympathy.
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Utsuro no Hako
Posts: 1058 |
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I can understand how 20-something Hikikomori can survive by mooching off their parents, but what are these older ones doing to pay rent and get utilities? I didn't think the Japanese social welfare system was that generous.
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residentgrigo
 Posts: 2632 Location: Germany |
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Yes living at home in your 40s without your own money is insane. How is your parents pension supposed to feed you and them ? It least i go to work 5 days a week before i seal myself in my man-cave for the weekend. Is ironic is it that NHK is reporting on this. The lovely NHK anime is the reason i know how to spell the word Hikikomori.
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Sobe
 Posts: 886 |
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 Different strokes for different folks.
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Hameyadea
 Posts: 3679 |
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Add the fact the NHK is broadcasting the currently-airing Log Horizon and you have yourself the complete definition of the word. (While reading the article I remembered in episode 11 of Log Horizon 2nd season, when William rallies his guild members by making them proud that they're heavy game-users) |
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Hoppy800
 Posts: 3331 |
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That's going to be the first thing to go if the new recession gets any worse. |
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#814635
Posts: 17 |
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Clearly they are mentally Ill which is the problem. I understand how middle aged Hikikomori exist they could work all their lives but lose a job and not be able to bounce back. Or you could never have worked and just hid away all this time. Im sure its hard to kick out your child or family member especially when they are mentally ill Japan is reluctant to hire out of work people and once you been out of work no one will hire you. Now add the stigma of mental illness to the list not much else to do so if you have access to money you lock yourself away or become homeless. Homelessness is a huge problem in Japan too. Japan needs to help identify mental illness at a early stage and this Hikkimori help programs need to be adopted nationwide. 700k is a huge number which when relatives die/money runs out will add to the amount of homeless people on the streets. It really is a ticking time bomb |
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Errinundra
Moderator
 Posts: 6607 Location: Melbourne, Oz |
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I'm 56 and prior to my current job in a call centre I was unemployed for over two years. During that time I would have fitted the definition of a middle-aged SNEP. Eventually I was, along with other assistance, assigned a mentor who helped me find my current job, which I've now held for two years.
Certainly it's difficult finding a job when you're older and, for sure, I was suffering from depression (which was brought on by my previous higher status job that I resigned from). I discovered that there were more people like me than I suspected. Yes, it's sad and disturbing but it isn't weird. It even happens in the "lucky country". I watched heaps of anime during that two years. People who are familiar with me here may have noticed that my contributions to these forums aren't as prolific or as lengthy as they used to be. Working full time does that to you. |
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Tempest
 I Run this place.ANN Publisher  Posts: 10471 Location: Do not message me for support. |
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It's true that many live with their parents, but many of them live with other relatives, or on their own in very cheap apartments. In the range of 30,000 yen a month.
Most get some support from someone in their family. Parents, children, siblings, whatever. The basic rule in Japan, even if you qualify for support, is "Ask your family first." That said, most neet do not qualify for support unless they are ill, injured, otherwise unable to work, or over 65 (60 in some cases). There is no assistance in Japan for people who are simply "poor." Having no job and no money does not qualify you for any assistance whatsoever. Things that will get you a check in Japan: Age (65+) Dismissed from work at 60+ A disability Raising a child And regardless of the above, if you have any "luxuries," savings, or property, you will be told to liquidate your assets and live off of those and re-apply for assistance when the money runs out. That said, many people who do qualify for assistance in Japan don't even apply for it. It is socially frowned on, and they are too ashamed to receive it. Every year there are reported cases of people who are eligible for assistance but starve or freeze to death without ever applying. Last edited by Tempest on Sat Dec 20, 2014 6:17 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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mdo7
Posts: 6818 Location: Katy, Texas, USA |
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Tempest, thank you for the additional info/facts.
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EricJ2
 Posts: 4016 |
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Because they're neurotically acting out their own pressures to succeed, fail, achieve or conform, and pass it down the pecking order, the Japanese believe that the only way to get hikkikomori--who have retreated from social rejection and job failure--out of their apartments is to literally bully them back out, harangue their lack of employment/college, create disturbingly assumptive social stereotypes of their private lives, and tell them that they're parasitic failures of society. ...I see some basic logical errors in this strategy. 
Last edited by EricJ2 on Sat Dec 20, 2014 5:47 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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mdo7
Posts: 6818 Location: Katy, Texas, USA |
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Eric, that is one of the many thing in Japan I will never understand and probably will never be understood by foreigners like us. |
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