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The Japanese government’s support program for socially withdrawn people now accepts middle-aged hikikomori.
The term hikikomori refers to people who refuse to leave their homes and isolate themselves from human interaction for prolonged periods of time.
According to a survey, in 2016, there were around one million socially withdrawn people in Japan, 230,000 of which are 40 to 44 years old. To assist this age group, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare designed support programs that will help these people find and keep jobs. Previously, these programs catered only to the younger recluses.
The 40- to 44-year-old age group receives the least amount of attention from the government. Many of these people have been living as hikikomori for an average of 22 years. This kind of lifestyle emerged when companies were forced to cut costs by firing employees in the 1990s. These people failed to bounce back and lost all hope of finding new jobs, so they cut themselves off from other people.
Currently, the Japanese government has support stations in 47 prefectures. These stations will adjust their programs to accommodate the older demographic.
Aside from the government, some non-government organizations also help hikikomori in Japan. For instance, an organization called New Start offers livelihood programs like farming and baking. After these trainings, New Start endorses hikikomori to companies that can provide jobs for them.
To add to that, the town of Fujisato in Akita has buildings and facilities where hikikomori can learn how to cook, serve customers, and be nursing care helpers. Since this campaign started in 2010, 86 of the 113 hikikomori who attended trainings in the town have managed to reintegrate them into the real world.