Hikikomori
reclusive adolescents or adults
Hikikomori (Japanese: 引きこもり or ひきこもり [çi̥kʲikomoɾʲi], lit. 'pulling inward, being confined') are reclusive adolescents or adults who withdraw from social life, often seeking extreme degrees of isolation and confinement. The term refers to both the sociological phenomenon in general and the individuals belonging to this societal group, who have been described as "modern hermits". Hikikomori has been an increasing problem in Japan since the 1990s, with estimates suggesting that over a million individuals are affected. While the phenomenon is most associated with Japan, cases with similar conditions have also been reported in other parts of the world.
The key characteristics of hikikomori include a marked avoidance of social situations and interaction, a retreat into one's home (often a single room) for at least six months, and significant functional impairment or distress. While not a formal psychiatric diagnosis in itself, hikikomori can co-occur with various mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, or developmental disorders. The etiology is complex and multifaceted, involving individual psychological vulnerabilities (such as a history of bullying or academic failure, and personality traits like introversion or high sensitivity to shame), familial dynamics (including parent-child relationships and communication issues), and broader societal pressures related to education, employment, and social expectations in contemporary societies.
The understanding and societal response to hikikomori have evolved, with various support systems and treatment approaches being explored. The issue raises significant concerns regarding individual well-being, family burden, and the social integration of a considerable segment of the population.
Etymology and definition
The Japanese term hikikomori (引きこもり or ひきこもり) is composed of the verbs hiku (引く, "to pull, draw, retreat") and komoru (籠る, "to shut oneself up, stay inside").
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Vocabulary and entity names are the principal evidence signals here, because they determine the precision of every later search. The source revision retrieved here is dated Sep 11, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q224156. The Library of Congress control number is sh2009000049. 1 of 1 selected statements include explicit references; 0 carry qualifiers and 0 use preferred rank.
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This entry incorporates text from “Hikikomori” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.