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Sunday, February 7, 2010
Government or local governments took measures to save Hikikomori people on the assumption that they were young.

But it has been said that Hikikomori people are aging.

For example, according to a survey in 2008 by Motohiro Sakai, Kazusa Kawahara, and Hikikomori KHJ Parents Association, the average age of Hikikomori people is 30.3 years old. KHJ has conducted the survey since 2002. The average age first exceeds 30 years old in 2007 survey (30.12) and it reaches the highest level in 2008 survey.

And According to Saknei News, 17 percent people who used Hikikomori telephone consultation service between July 2007 and March 2008 were aged 40 or over. The consultation service has been provided by Tokyo Metropolitan Office for Youth Affairs and Public Safety.

So, as far as I know, government and local governments begin to include older Hikikomori people.

Youth Support Station, established by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to encourage NEET (including Hikikomori people) to integrate in society, is extended from 34 years old or under to 39 years old or under since fiscal 2009.

There are many institutions for Hikikomori or NEET people in the region I live. They also include older Hikikomori or NEET people these days.

If Hikikomori people are truly aging, I don't know why. I guess one possible reason is that they've continued to be Hikikomori for many years, and as a result, they get old. Another possible reason is that more and more working young adult have become Hikikomori.