Nearly 1.5 million people in Japan are living as social hermits, with about a fifth of cases attributed to the pressure and stress of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a government survey.

Many “hikikomori,” as they are known in Japanese, have said they have begun withdrawing from social life due to relationship or work problems. Many of them have lost or quit their jobs during the pandemic. A significant percentage, 20.6%, said their predicament was due to lifestyle changes during the pandemic.

Hikikomori — people who withdraw from society by spending all or most of their time in isolation at home — make up 2% of people aged 15 to 62, according to the survey.

Last November, the cabinet called for a survey of 30,000 people aged 10 to 69. The survey showed that just over a fifth of respondents aged 15 to 39 were in social isolation from six months to almost a year. More than 20% said they experienced problems in interpersonal relationships, and about 18% referred to the pandemic.

Among people aged 40 to 64, 44.5% said their behavior was caused by leaving work, while 20.6% cited the pandemic.

Japan has not implemented a UK-style lockdown to limit the spread of the virus, but people have been asked not to go out unnecessarily for extended periods, while some employers and universities have encouraged remote work and distance learning.

The increase in the number of people living as hermits has prompted some local authorities to take action. From June, the Tokyo area will be hosting metaverse social events to give “Hikikomori” the opportunity to get to know people through their avatars.

“We don’t think that everything will be decided just because we propose a metaverse. Maybe it will be useful for someone,” the mayor of the district told the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper. “We are targeting those who cannot leave their room and do not communicate with other people. We want to help them take a step forward.”

Source: Guardian