Wednesday, September 21, 2011
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 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
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