Japan Estimates 1.46 Million Hikikomori... "20% Due to COVID-19"

A Japanese government survey estimated that 1.46 million people aged 15 to 64 in Japan are hikikomori (social recluses).

According to the Asahi Shimbun and Yomiuri Shimbun on the 1st, the survey conducted by the Japanese government in November last year found that 2.05% of respondents aged 15 to 39 and 2.02% of respondents aged 40 to 64 were identified as hikikomori. The number of respondents was approximately 11,300.

Based on the survey results, the government estimated the total number of hikikomori in Japan to be 1.46 million.

According to the Asahi Shimbun, about 20% of those identified as hikikomori cited COVID-19 as the cause.

The Japanese government classifies individuals as hikikomori if they have experienced any of the following conditions for more than six months: "rarely leave their room," "leave their room but not the house," "go out only to nearby convenience stores," or "go out only when engaging in hobby-related activities."

Until now, the Japanese government had conducted separate surveys on hikikomori among youth and middle-aged groups, but this is the first time that people aged 15 to 64 were surveyed simultaneously.