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Cathy · Sep 16, 2003, 07:43 am

I watched The Cutting Edge for the first time this evening. Tonight's show was called "Japan's missing teenagers".

It documented the stories of a few young Japanese men and their families. These young Japanese men suffer from hikikomori - they choose to become reclusive and sometimes spend years in one room of their homes. It seems that generally a stressful event in their lives is a trigger for this.

I have little knowledge of Japanese society. I understand it is high pressure but I was astounded to find out that up to 1 in 10 young men in Japan are affected by hikikomori. Some due to bullying, others due to the pressures of study/work. It was also suggested that the lack of human interaction may be an explanation.

I can understand that these reasons make sense. What I don't understand is how parents respect their child's need for solitude, and allow them to keep to a single room of the house. I can only think that it's a cultural difference. If I were to lock myself in my room when I was a child, my parents would have simply entered and tried to communicate with me about it, and then maybe arranged for me to see a counsellor. There is no way they would have left me there.

Has anyone else seen this? Or have any thoughts on this?

I'm perplexed to say the least.

G. Adams · Sep 16, 2003, 09:44 am

I'm don't claim to be an expert on japanese society but I have looked into it (was going to do a degree in japanese studies). In Japan there is a very family orientated culture, where people really do look after their families whatever the cost. This part explains why the parents don't kick them out onto the street, which is what would happen over here. But at the same time, there is (but this is changing) a very private side to japan, keeping your business to yourself, which may explain why there is less intervention.

I don't however know why they actually go into this mode. I'd count myself as antisocial (because most people are so damned, frustratingly apathetic and shallow i've grown to dislike them in general sense) but I couldn't dream of staying trapped in my room.

RebelWithanAK · Sep 16, 2003, 01:30 pm

Believe me, I'm also damned antisocial for a populist, but I don't see what the fuss is all about. Japan has teenagers, and if there's anything I know about teenagers, it's that they're more often than not angsty, depressed and antisocial. Why does every generation feel that the next will foment the breakdown of society?

Cathy · Sep 17, 2003, 07:48 am

No fuss as such RebelWithanAK, I'm just astounded that this behaviour exists. And interested to see that it only exists in Japan.

I'm of Asian descent and although I grew up in Australia I have some understanding of Asian cultures. As G. Adams has mentioned, Japanese people are private and I imagine they are also conscious of bringing shame on the family. In all cases the reporter and cameraman were asked to park their van some distance down the street and also to be discreet.

Nonetheless it shocks me that bringing shame to the family is worse than not taking care of a child's wellbeing by acknowledging the situation and seeking outside help.

RebelWithanAK · Sep 17, 2003, 12:17 pm

Interesting, though it does offer parallels to how it is here; keeping appearances is weighed far more importantly than it should, especially when it comes to familial relations.

Waychel · Apr 12, 2004, 04:34 am

Hikikomori

AKA

Social Anxiety Disorder

AKA

Agoraphobia

It does exist over here.

melpomene · Apr 20, 2004, 04:36 pm

Isnt this more though.

Its more than a teenager been socially isolative.

It takes on the dimensions of Depression and Anxiety disorder.

Sep 16, 2003, 09:44 am	#2 (permalink) (top)
G. Adams Fyrdman Location: Middlesbrough UK Posts: 4,152	I'm don't claim to be an expert on japanese society but I have looked into it (was going to do a degree in japanese studies). In Japan there is a very family orientated culture, where people really do look after their families whatever the cost. This part explains why the parents don't kick them out onto the street, which is what would happen over here. But at the same time, there is (but this is changing) a very private side to japan, keeping your business to yourself, which may explain why there is less intervention. I don't however know why they actually go into this mode. I'd count myself as antisocial (because most people are so damned, frustratingly apathetic and shallow i've grown to dislike them in general sense) but I couldn't dream of staying trapped in my room. Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. Winston Churchill

Sep 16, 2003, 01:30 pm	#3 (permalink) (top)
RebelWithanAK Igneous Magma Location: New York City Posts: 739	Believe me, I'm also damned antisocial for a populist, but I don't see what the fuss is all about. Japan has teenagers, and if there's anything I know about teenagers, it's that they're more often than not angsty, depressed and antisocial. Why does every generation feel that the next will foment the breakdown of society? . . . whenever any government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new government, laying its foundations on such principles and organizing its powers in such forms as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.

Sep 17, 2003, 12:17 pm	#5 (permalink) (top)
RebelWithanAK Igneous Magma Location: New York City Posts: 739	Interesting, though it does offer parallels to how it is here; keeping appearances is weighed far more importantly than it should, especially when it comes to familial relations. . . . whenever any government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new government, laying its foundations on such principles and organizing its powers in such forms as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.

Apr 12, 2004, 04:34 am	#6 (permalink) (top)
Waychel Supercalifragilistic Posts: 431	Hikikomori AKA Social Anxiety Disorder AKA Agoraphobia It does exist over here. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.

Apr 20, 2004, 04:36 pm	#7 (permalink) (top)
melpomene I can smell fear ... Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 21	Isnt this more though. Its more than a teenager been socially isolative. It takes on the dimensions of Depression and Anxiety disorder. <Insert witty sig here>

Sep 16, 2003, 07:43 am	#1 (permalink) (top)
Cathy Sedimentary Rock Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 20	I watched The Cutting Edge for the first time this evening. Tonight's show was called "Japan's missing teenagers". It documented the stories of a few young Japanese men and their families. These young Japanese men suffer from hikikomori - they choose to become reclusive and sometimes spend years in one room of their homes. It seems that generally a stressful event in their lives is a trigger for this. I have little knowledge of Japanese society. I understand it is high pressure but I was astounded to find out that up to 1 in 10 young men in Japan are affected by hikikomori. Some due to bullying, others due to the pressures of study/work. It was also suggested that the lack of human interaction may be an explanation. I can understand that these reasons make sense. What I don't understand is how parents respect their child's need for solitude, and allow them to keep to a single room of the house. I can only think that it's a cultural difference. If I were to lock myself in my room when I was a child, my parents would have simply entered and tried to communicate with me about it, and then maybe arranged for me to see a counsellor. There is no way they would have left me there. Has anyone else seen this? Or have any thoughts on this? I'm perplexed to say the least.

Sep 17, 2003, 07:48 am	#4 (permalink) (top)
Cathy Sedimentary Rock Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 20	No fuss as such RebelWithanAK, I'm just astounded that this behaviour exists. And interested to see that it only exists in Japan. I'm of Asian descent and although I grew up in Australia I have some understanding of Asian cultures. As G. Adams has mentioned, Japanese people are private and I imagine they are also conscious of bringing shame on the family. In all cases the reporter and cameraman were asked to park their van some distance down the street and also to be discreet. Nonetheless it shocks me that bringing shame to the family is worse than not taking care of a child's wellbeing by acknowledging the situation and seeking outside help.