EDITORIAL: Social recluse problem

A 30-year-old man in Toyokawa, Aichi Prefecture, who had shut himself up at home for more than 10 years, was arrested last month on suspicion of killing his father and 1-year-old niece and injuring three others in a stabbing spree against his family.

According to police, the man became "enraged" at his father, who had terminated a contract for Internet access after his son had spent more than 2 million yen ($21,700) in online shopping.

It is simply outrageous that the suspect would go so far as to attack an infant for such a reason.

According to his former classmates, the suspect was the quiet type in junior high school. It is disturbing to think how the many years of reclusiveness affected the man's mentality.

The number of hikikomori (social recluses) is estimated at between 300,000 and 1 million across Japan. While many cases are attributed to a loss of confidence in associating with others triggered by such setbacks as failure in school entrance exams and employment, they tend to remain hidden. In Osaka in March, a hikikomori man killed his father.

Of course, violent acts committed by hikikomori are rare. In most cases, such persons and their families feel trapped inside a seemingly endless tunnel.

Experienced third parties who can lend a hand to change the closed environments improve the chances for breakthroughs.

Recently, prefectures are assigning specialists at mental health and welfare centers, nongovernmental organizations are providing places where hikikomori can seek help, and parents' associations are being formed.

In addition, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is set to renew its guidelines for dealing with hikikomori while studying such measures as strengthening the involvement of psychiatrists at an early stage.

In the Toyokawa case, something may have been lacking in terms of cooperation between police and such networks.

When the family consulted the police about the problem of Internet shopping, police officers visited their home and referred the family to a consumer affairs consultation service for advice.

However, the police did not deal with the hikikomori issue itself, which was at the root the problem. Nor did they refer the family to specialists. What they did was suggest the family terminate Internet access, which had turned into the man's only point of contact with society.

How would have specialists dealt with the situation?

Takaaki Yamada, who runs a center for hikikomori youths in Kyoto, said, "I would have suggested that the family make the balance of the bank account zero to make it impossible to continue online shopping instead of cutting off Internet access."

While giving consideration to the sensitive nature of the hikikomori, Yamada said he would have worked together with the family to look for a way to protect them and change the environment little by little. Another alternative was for the family to move out, according to Yamada.

While most people tend to regard hikikomori as a problem among adolescents, a survey conducted by a nationwide association of parents showed the period of withdrawal is getting longer and the average age of sufferers has topped 30.

Parents are also getting older and reaching retirement age. In addition to psychiatric care, financial support and job placement will also need to be considered.

As in cases of domestic violence and child abuse, many individuals and families troubled with hikikomori are isolated. People close to them and organizations need to firmly establish ties and make sure not to overlook even the slightest signs of danger.

--The Asahi Shimbun, May 7