ひきこもり

• Reading: ひきこもり
• Romaji: hikikomori
• Pronunciation: /çi.ki.ko.mo.ɾi/

Meaning

Social withdrawal; recluse; hikikomori. A condition or person characterised by severe and prolonged withdrawal from social life and confinement to home.

Derived from the verb 引きこもる (to shut oneself in). Japan's Ministry of Health defines 引きこもり as not participating in social activities for at least six months. It is a significant social issue in Japan, affecting an estimated one million people. The term has been adopted internationally as 'hikikomori' in psychological and sociological literature. Distinct from introversion or shyness; it refers to a clinical-level withdrawal that disrupts daily functioning.

Examples

1. 彼は大学受験の失敗をきっかけにひきこもりとなり、三年間自室から出なかった。 Triggered by his failure in university entrance exams, he became a hikikomori and did not leave his room for three years.
2. ひきこもりの問題は本人だけでなく、家族全体に深刻な影響を与える。 The problem of hikikomori has a serious impact not only on the individual but on the entire family.
3. 近年ではひきこもり支援のためのアウトリーチプログラムが各地で整備されつつある。 In recent years, outreach programmes to support hikikomori individuals have been established across the country.

Usage Guide

Context: social issues, mental health, youth policy, family, sociology

Tone: neutral to serious

Origin & History

From the verb 引きこもる: 引き (hiki — pulling) + こもる (komoru — to shut oneself in, to be confined). The nominalised form ひきこもり emerged as a clinical and social term in the 1990s, gaining widespread recognition following media coverage of Japan's economic stagnation and youth unemployment issues.

Cultural Context

Era: Heisei-Reiwa

Generation: Youth to Middle-aged

Social background: Universal