Saturday, October 23, 2010
New Start is a Japanese NPO that helps school refusers, NEET and Hikikomori people to start a new life. The NPO is known for providing outreach services to Hikikomori or NEET people called "Rental Sister" and "Rental Brother." Typically, families of withdrawn young people consulted the NPO, and the NPO dispatches Rental Sisters or Brothers to their houses. They visit withdrawers' houses and encourage them to connect with society.
Rental Sister gains attention. Several books about Rental Sister were published. In addition, one of them was dramatized on TV.
Today even an Act mentions outreach. The Act on Promotion of Development and Support for Children and Young People was enforced on April 1, 2010. That refers to outreach to Hikikomori or NEET people. Under the Act, the Cabinet Office built a training system to increase human resources capable of outreach.
And Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare published a new guideline for assessment and support for Hikikomori people on May 19. That devotes a chapter to outreach. According to the guideline, "outreach is expected to be an effective method to help Hikikomori people." But the guideline also points out that outreach needs thorough preparation to increase the effectiveness of visit, because it can take personal and time costs and it can bring about serious harmful effects.
Outreach to Hikikomori people is not common yet. Health minister said at the Upper House Committee on Health, Welfare and Labor on June 1 that outreach is not spread because of human resource shortages.
Rental Sister gains attention. Several books about Rental Sister were published. In addition, one of them was dramatized on TV.
Today even an Act mentions outreach. The Act on Promotion of Development and Support for Children and Young People was enforced on April 1, 2010. That refers to outreach to Hikikomori or NEET people. Under the Act, the Cabinet Office built a training system to increase human resources capable of outreach.
And Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare published a new guideline for assessment and support for Hikikomori people on May 19. That devotes a chapter to outreach. According to the guideline, "outreach is expected to be an effective method to help Hikikomori people." But the guideline also points out that outreach needs thorough preparation to increase the effectiveness of visit, because it can take personal and time costs and it can bring about serious harmful effects.
Outreach to Hikikomori people is not common yet. Health minister said at the Upper House Committee on Health, Welfare and Labor on June 1 that outreach is not spread because of human resource shortages.
