10th November, 2007

CORAL VASS
Tokyo, Japan

They’re the group of young Japanese people who, overwhelmed by anxiety about the world, have chosen to shun the world in which they live, locking themselves away in their bedrooms for years on end. 

LAND OF CONTRASTS: For many, Japan is a nation of cherry blossom and neon, as see here in an image of Shibuya, Tokyo. But it's also the home of disturbing social trends, like that of the 'hikikimori'. PICTURE: Yoichiro Nishimura (www.sxc.hu) "While some young Japanese men who suffer from this social disorder find temporary relief when they leave Japan to visit or live in another country, what hope do others have if they wish to remain the country of their birth and culture?"

Known as “hikikomori” - which means "pulling away, being confined" and refers to the sociological phenomenon as well as the reclusive individuals themselves - it has been said there may be as many as one million of them in Japan, a staggering figure which equates to 20 per cent of all male adolescents in Japan, or one per cent of the total Japanese population. Up until recent times, this phenomenon had not been found in any other culture in the world.  

In his book, Shutting Out the Sun: How Japan Created Its Own Lost Generation, Michael Zielenziger profiles a number of young Japanese men who suffer from this phenomenon. Zielenziger found that some young men will escape the confines of their bedroom in the dark hours of early morning when no-one else is around.  

Drawing on the experience of one young man, he writes: “These tranquil few hours before dawn are strangely precious to Jun. Only in this empty calm can this wiry 28-year-old work off his restless anxiety. Only on these rare dark nights when he can gather the courage to venture out of his tiny room, can Jun be in the world yet be himself, and escape for just a few hours the confinement of a bedroom that has become his citadel.”

"I have an arrow pointed deep inside of me," Jun tells him during an interview which leads Zielenziger to conclude that “being alone seems to him his only mode of self-preservation.”

Japanese psychiatrists describe hikikomori as a “social disorder” and experts say there are a number of factors which could possibly contribute to the existence of such a phenomenon including the neo-Confucian influence on society (while this philosophy preaches the importance of obedience, discipline, self-inhibition and group harmony, there isn't much scope for individuals to express personal identity).  Others have suggested that young adults feel pressured and and overwhelmed by modern Japan and fear they are unable to fulfill their expected social roles to be successful and responsible adults.  

While some young Japanese men who suffer from this social disorder find temporary relief when they leave Japan to visit or live in another country, what hope do others have if they wish to remain the country of their birth and culture?

An amazing teacher who walked the earth more than 2000 years ago said “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come that you might have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)  He was Jesus Christ.  He came “to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.” (Isaiah 42:7) Only true relief and freedom from this pain and fear comes from belief in Jesus Christ.  

Jesus died and rose again to free us from those things that seek to steal, kill and destroy our lives. He demonstrated his perfect love for us, in order that we might live and live life to the fullest.  Please pray that the hikikomori of our society will find the  “perfect love” that casts out fear, (1 John 4:18) and realise the potential and freedom, which is intended for them and for all.

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