One Hikikomori man (then thirty-years-old) killed and wounded his family members and set fire to his house on April 17, 2010.
Takayuki Iwase lived in Toyokawa, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan. He had withdrawn from society for 14 years.
His
parents entrusted management of family finances to him. But he was
gradually absorbed in Internet shopping and auctions. That led him to
have about 3 million yen of debt. So, his father canceled a contract
with internet service provider. He got angry and committed crimes. His
father and a girl (then 1-years-old) were killed and other families who
lived together with him, including his mother, were wounded.
He was arrested, and the case was taken to court. The disputed point was whether he was responsible for his actions, because he had mental health issues.
Before the ruling, his lawyers requested experts to examine whether he
had any mental health problems. The experts' view was that he had (1)
autistic spectrum disorder (2) intellectual disability (3) shopaholic,
and his lawyers asserted that the defendant had limited responsibility.
On the other hand, prosecutors also requested another experts to examine his
mental health problems, and experts concluded he was responsible. Based
on the research result, prosecutors demanded life imprisonment.
In
the end, he was sentenced to thirty years in prison at the first trial
on December 7, 2011.The court ruled that the defendant had
responsibility, because he had ability to behave in response to how his
family members in front of him behaved, for example, he chased them who
attempted to escape from him.
He filed an appeal against the decision on December 12, 2011.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Hikikomori Shien Soudanshi (Hikikmori support consultant)
Hikikomori Shien Soudanshi literary means Hikikomori support consultant.
HSS conduct various activities related to Hikikomori. For example, providing counselling for Hikikomori people and their parents, connecting Hikikomori people with appropriate faciliies, etc. HSS are also expected to work as resident experts at Hikikomori Regional Support Centers.
The qualification of HSS was established on April 2009. According to YOMIURI ONLINE, a Japanese news site, about 2,900 people had the qualification as at September 2011.
Hikikomori Shien Soudanshi Nintei Kyougikai, literary means HSS Association of Boards of Certification, provides correspondence courses and qualification examination. We need to complete them to possess the qualification of HSS. HSSNK consists of two organizations, Hikikomori KHJ Parents Association and The Development of the Next Generation Network Organization. HSSNK also trains Futoko Houmon Senmonnin, literary means specialist in visiting children and students.
HSSNK has been very active. Since September 2011 many branch offices of HSSNK have been established all across the country. Also in September 2011 it began to deliver classroom lectures in a professional school in addition to correspondence courses.
[Reference]
Hikikomori ya futoko shakaifukki no sasae ni. (2011 September 26). Retrieved September 26, 2011, from http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/e-japan/hiroshima/news/20110925-OYT8T00756.htm
HSS conduct various activities related to Hikikomori. For example, providing counselling for Hikikomori people and their parents, connecting Hikikomori people with appropriate faciliies, etc. HSS are also expected to work as resident experts at Hikikomori Regional Support Centers.
The qualification of HSS was established on April 2009. According to YOMIURI ONLINE, a Japanese news site, about 2,900 people had the qualification as at September 2011.
Hikikomori Shien Soudanshi Nintei Kyougikai, literary means HSS Association of Boards of Certification, provides correspondence courses and qualification examination. We need to complete them to possess the qualification of HSS. HSSNK consists of two organizations, Hikikomori KHJ Parents Association and The Development of the Next Generation Network Organization. HSSNK also trains Futoko Houmon Senmonnin, literary means specialist in visiting children and students.
HSSNK has been very active. Since September 2011 many branch offices of HSSNK have been established all across the country. Also in September 2011 it began to deliver classroom lectures in a professional school in addition to correspondence courses.
[Reference]
Hikikomori ya futoko shakaifukki no sasae ni. (2011 September 26). Retrieved September 26, 2011, from http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/e-japan/hiroshima/news/20110925-OYT8T00756.htm
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
I becomes a temporary worker
It may surprise you, but I began to work outside one or two years
ago. Even now I sometimes work as a temporary worker (Arbeit in
Japanese) . But I spend my most of time staying my house, so I don't
overcome Hikikomori completely. I write this at this late because I want
to avoid disclosing information that identifies me.
The main factor that caused me to work was supports by facilities for Hikikomori people. They had staff members who have information about workplaces that hire people like me. In some cases, I worked through the facilities and earned rewards.
All jobs were low-skilled ones, but I think they were suitable for my ability. As I had been unemployed for years, my basic job skills were deteriorated.
Before I worked, I was bother about what people think of me, because young males my age usually work as regular workers. But after I worked, I didn't worry about that. Instead, I tried to deliver good performances which correspond to wages.
But I had difficulties at work. I often failed to carry out my tasks. On the contrary, all colleagues of mine who were hired at the same time as me seemed to make a good job. Many of them were younger than me, but their job performance seemed to be better than me. Although I had basic job experience in preparation for this day, that hardly made sense. Unfortunately, I lost more and more confidence through the works. After I finished working, I share experience of failure with staff members of Hikikomori facilities and try to find the way how to avoid the same mistakes.
The main factor that caused me to work was supports by facilities for Hikikomori people. They had staff members who have information about workplaces that hire people like me. In some cases, I worked through the facilities and earned rewards.
All jobs were low-skilled ones, but I think they were suitable for my ability. As I had been unemployed for years, my basic job skills were deteriorated.
Before I worked, I was bother about what people think of me, because young males my age usually work as regular workers. But after I worked, I didn't worry about that. Instead, I tried to deliver good performances which correspond to wages.
But I had difficulties at work. I often failed to carry out my tasks. On the contrary, all colleagues of mine who were hired at the same time as me seemed to make a good job. Many of them were younger than me, but their job performance seemed to be better than me. Although I had basic job experience in preparation for this day, that hardly made sense. Unfortunately, I lost more and more confidence through the works. After I finished working, I share experience of failure with staff members of Hikikomori facilities and try to find the way how to avoid the same mistakes.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Hikikomori people like reading
Hikikomori people seem to like reading. According to a study by the
Cabinet Office, 67.8 percent of Hikikomori people often read books when
they are in their houses. On the other hand, 38.0 per cent of people who
are not Hikikomori often read books.
I suppose the stereotypical image of Hikikomori people is that they indulge in video games and the Internet. But the research shows 45.8 percent of Hikikomori people often play video games, and 62.7 percent often surf the Internet. Hikikomori people like reading more than video games.
[How they get books?]
I don't know how such Hikikomori people get books. I guess they want a lot of books, because they have ample time to read them.
Possibly many of them buy from online bookstores, for example, Amazon.co.jp. But some of them may go outside and buy them at bookstores. This may surprise you, but Hikikomori people defined by the study include those who (a) go to nearby places, for example, convenience stores (b) go outside only for pleasant activities, for example, hobby. Generally, Hikikomori people include such people in a broad sense.
[What kind of books they read?]
I also don't know what kind of books Hikikomori people read. There are many kinds of books.
Some Hikikomori people may often read comics, so they may say "I often read books." Generally when we Japanese say "I read books," the "books" does not include comic books. But some of them include them.
As far as the Hikikmori people I know, they tend to like comics. Of course, they also read usual books. They read many genres of books, including novels, academic type of books, so-called light novel, etc.
[In my case]
I also like reading. I buy books from Amazon.co.jp and nearby bookstores but don't buy very much because I don't have enough money. I read many kinds of books, but usually I favour business books, because I studied economics as a college student. I don't read comics, so I can't talk with Hikikomori people about comics.
[References]
Cabinet Office. (2010). Wakamono no ishiki ni kansuru chosa (Hikikomori ni kansuru jittai chosa) Retrieved September 1, 2011, from http://www8.cao.go.jp/youth/kenkyu/hikikomori/pdf/gaiyo.pdf
I suppose the stereotypical image of Hikikomori people is that they indulge in video games and the Internet. But the research shows 45.8 percent of Hikikomori people often play video games, and 62.7 percent often surf the Internet. Hikikomori people like reading more than video games.
[How they get books?]
I don't know how such Hikikomori people get books. I guess they want a lot of books, because they have ample time to read them.
Possibly many of them buy from online bookstores, for example, Amazon.co.jp. But some of them may go outside and buy them at bookstores. This may surprise you, but Hikikomori people defined by the study include those who (a) go to nearby places, for example, convenience stores (b) go outside only for pleasant activities, for example, hobby. Generally, Hikikomori people include such people in a broad sense.
[What kind of books they read?]
I also don't know what kind of books Hikikomori people read. There are many kinds of books.
Some Hikikomori people may often read comics, so they may say "I often read books." Generally when we Japanese say "I read books," the "books" does not include comic books. But some of them include them.
As far as the Hikikmori people I know, they tend to like comics. Of course, they also read usual books. They read many genres of books, including novels, academic type of books, so-called light novel, etc.
[In my case]
I also like reading. I buy books from Amazon.co.jp and nearby bookstores but don't buy very much because I don't have enough money. I read many kinds of books, but usually I favour business books, because I studied economics as a college student. I don't read comics, so I can't talk with Hikikomori people about comics.
[References]
Cabinet Office. (2010). Wakamono no ishiki ni kansuru chosa (Hikikomori ni kansuru jittai chosa) Retrieved September 1, 2011, from http://www8.cao.go.jp/youth/kenkyu/hikikomori/pdf/gaiyo.pdf
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Communication abilities
"Communication abilities" is a key word of Hikikomori problem in Japan.
A lot of people believe Hikikomori people lack basic communication abilities. And they think that is the one reason Hikikomori people withdraw from society.
According to a research by the Cabinet Office, 37.3 per cent of Hikikomori people answered "yes" and 32.2 per cent answered "rather yes" to the question "Are you worried about your poor communication abilities?" On the other hand, 13.1 per cent of people who are not Hikikomori answered "yes" and 30.7 per cent answered "rather yes" to the same question. Yusuke Takatsuka, chair of the research project, says the research team concluded the main reason of Hikikomori is the social trend that regards people who can not communicate effectively as "defective products" and exclude them (Cabinet Office, 2010).
Some Hikikomori people have developmental disorders, and that hinders them communicating effectively. For instance, according to research group of Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, out of 184 Hikikomori people who visited Mental Health and Welfare Centers, 52 people were diagnosed as having developmental disorders (Kondo et al, 2010). MHWC provides consulting services to Hikikomori people and their families.
* * * * * * * * * *
I do not know whether it is true, but a lot of people believe today's young Japanese's communication abilities deteriorate.
On the other hand, people who lack basic communication abilities are more likely to be socially excluded today. Service sectors have increased their shares in Japan. Working in service sectors need more communication abilities. Keidanren, Japan business lobby, conducts a survey of its members every year. According to the survey, increasing number of companies take communication abilities into careful consideration when they employ new graduates (Keidanren, 2010).
If so, it is no wonder increasing number of young Japanese feel worried about their communication abilities.
[References]
Cabinet Office. (2010). Wakamono no ishiki ni kansuru chosa (Hikikomori ni kansuru jittai chosa) Retrieved July 7, 2011, from http://www8.cao.go.jp/youth/kenkyu/hikikomori/pdf/gaiyo.pdf
Kondo, N., Miyazawa, Kiyota, Y., Kitahata, Y., Kuroda, Y., Kurosawa, M., H., Sakai, Fujinomiya, H., Inomata, N., Miyazawa, H., & Miyata, R. (2010). Shisyunki hikikomori niokeru seishinnigakuteki shougai no jittai haaku nikansuru kenkyu. Shisyunki no hikikomori wo motarasu seishinka shikkan no jittai haaku to seishinnigakuteki chiryou enjo system no kouchiku nikansuru kenkyu, 49-63.
Keidanren. (2010). Retrieved July 7, 2011, from http://www.keidanren.or.jp/japanese/policy/2010/030.html
A lot of people believe Hikikomori people lack basic communication abilities. And they think that is the one reason Hikikomori people withdraw from society.
According to a research by the Cabinet Office, 37.3 per cent of Hikikomori people answered "yes" and 32.2 per cent answered "rather yes" to the question "Are you worried about your poor communication abilities?" On the other hand, 13.1 per cent of people who are not Hikikomori answered "yes" and 30.7 per cent answered "rather yes" to the same question. Yusuke Takatsuka, chair of the research project, says the research team concluded the main reason of Hikikomori is the social trend that regards people who can not communicate effectively as "defective products" and exclude them (Cabinet Office, 2010).
Some Hikikomori people have developmental disorders, and that hinders them communicating effectively. For instance, according to research group of Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, out of 184 Hikikomori people who visited Mental Health and Welfare Centers, 52 people were diagnosed as having developmental disorders (Kondo et al, 2010). MHWC provides consulting services to Hikikomori people and their families.
* * * * * * * * * *
I do not know whether it is true, but a lot of people believe today's young Japanese's communication abilities deteriorate.
On the other hand, people who lack basic communication abilities are more likely to be socially excluded today. Service sectors have increased their shares in Japan. Working in service sectors need more communication abilities. Keidanren, Japan business lobby, conducts a survey of its members every year. According to the survey, increasing number of companies take communication abilities into careful consideration when they employ new graduates (Keidanren, 2010).
If so, it is no wonder increasing number of young Japanese feel worried about their communication abilities.
[References]
Cabinet Office. (2010). Wakamono no ishiki ni kansuru chosa (Hikikomori ni kansuru jittai chosa) Retrieved July 7, 2011, from http://www8.cao.go.jp/youth/kenkyu/hikikomori/pdf/gaiyo.pdf
Kondo, N., Miyazawa, Kiyota, Y., Kitahata, Y., Kuroda, Y., Kurosawa, M., H., Sakai, Fujinomiya, H., Inomata, N., Miyazawa, H., & Miyata, R. (2010). Shisyunki hikikomori niokeru seishinnigakuteki shougai no jittai haaku nikansuru kenkyu. Shisyunki no hikikomori wo motarasu seishinka shikkan no jittai haaku to seishinnigakuteki chiryou enjo system no kouchiku nikansuru kenkyu, 49-63.
Keidanren. (2010). Retrieved July 7, 2011, from http://www.keidanren.or.jp/japanese/policy/2010/030.html
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