"Tekushi says he wants to be filmed so there's proof of his existence" I definitely teared up

"The school counselor told me it was my fault I got bullied" . This one sentence says so much about human society.

He can't get a job because he doesn't have experience and can't get experience because he can't get a job. Sounds Familiar

"Dogs don't betray like humans" I felt that, bro.

"You feel like you're not living the life you're supposed to live. Like you're being forced to play a role", what Kenji Yamase said is extremely accurate: we're not in a society that wants us to become accomplished as individuals, but as productive as possible for the gain of a very very small amount of people. Hikikomoris for the most part are probably very smart and sensitive people, who understand how wrong everything is. Most people will just bear with the current system because of our will to survive, but the way workers are being treated all around the globe is incredibly wrong overall.

Someone get that man a dog, it’s painful to watch him hurt like that.

I was a hikikomori for more than 10 years from my late teens to late 20's. Never went outside for years or talk to anyone including my parents. I know how those shut-ins feel, looking out the window everyday, desperate to go outside and connect with people but they are just so terrified of neighbors eyes or how they are perceived by the society. Initially you'll struggle with constant panic attacks and suicidal thoughts, but they will wear off over time and you will eventually be in the state of apathy, comfortable but completely stuck in the never ending cycle of waking up in the evening, eat, browse internet, sleep again in the morning. As long as financially feasible, this continues unless some drastic external or internal change occurs. In my case it was my sister's marriage that pushed me to get back on my feet (in Japan, having a hikikomori brother-in-law is a big disadvantage when seeking for partners and I didn't want to be an even more of a burden to my family). I took gradual steps, started from going out for a midnight stroll, and when once acclimatized to outside, I seeked support from the local support group, did training, volunteering, and after some part time jobs, I went to the trading school and eventually got the full time job at the age of 33. I changed jobs since then and I'm currently unemployed again, but thats another story. I just wanted to share my experience as an hikikomori, and that there are ways to get out of the situation.

I went out socialising regularly until I was about 40, then I just thought one day that my 20+ years of relationships with people didn't amount to much. Now I am more content to do everything by myself, I am far less stressed by the drama ppl love to create and most jobs just make me feel trapped..I have a humble yet comfortable life and never get bored, there is a lot to do and think about.

It probably doesn't help that mental health is still a very taboo topic in Japan...

It’s so telling of Japanese society’s handling of mental illness that not once did they mention that these people suffer from major depression and crippling social anxiety.

Seiko is kinda pretty amazing. It takes a lot of courage to admit that you may have probably screwed your child (seems like even more in Japanese society where there is a huge social pressure on parents and kids). She changed her view on Masoto and decided to go straight against the flow, speaking out about hikikimori issue and offering help. So strong and inspiring.

"The school counselor told me it was my fault I got bullied" Can't blame him for not wanting to live in such a society..

That mum grew so much, her son taught her more than society ever could.

I don’t get why they won’t let an individual adopt a pet. A companion would be such a blessing for him. 🙏🏾🙏🏾

9:38 Takuya Ishikawa wants to be filmed. He's simply crying out for help. Give me his address and I'll send him a postcard.

As an unsupported autistic woman, this is my life in the US

Hikikimori: You feel like you're being forced to play a role I feel his pain 😭

That mother has so much strength. To stand up and fight for her son and right her wrongs. Very inspiring.

Not having cried that hard for a long time, this documentary definitely made me cry so painfully. I can truly relate to their experiences. The second guy, Tekushi really left a mark on me. Hoping that he'll know that there's someone like me who appreciates him. Thank you so much for this eye-opening docu!

This is a world wide problem. Its depression, plus anxiety. For some ppl, modern society is poisonous fir them.

I am an American and can totally relate to this life style. Fortunately, I was forced to engage in society and feel I can function like most but prefer isolation.

The man with the dog broke my heart. Please know you have reached Canada and half way around the world. I see you exist. I see you my friend. Im also a home body and rarely leave. You are not alone.

"None of the clocks in the house are working, Takoya says it's because time has lost all meaning to him" That hit really deep.

Yes, show the world those who have been isolated, polarized, rejected and betrayed by society.

When a society expects perfection without flaw, only to realize everyone is flawed, but refuses to let go of thier expectations of perfection, exile is the last civilized act of those deemed imperfect.

In an age where relationships are fake, merely transactional everyone is hikikomori whether they’re physically withdrawn or not. These folks are just being real to themselves.

There is nothing wrong with the hikikomori, they are responding to the world around them properly. It is the world that is sick. It's normal and healthy to withdraw from the sickness that our world has become. "It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. " Jiddu Krishnamurti

I'm from Britain and I totally get where he is coming from, being alone means I'm safe.

These are the kids at school I used to get at lunch time and bring over to sit with me so they wouldn't be on their own. I have made some really long time friends because of this. We prevented a lot of bullying because of doing this. Some kids weren't interested but if you offered an ear to listen and a comfortable spot to sit for lunch you would be surprised how nice people are once you get to know them. Frankly, this sounds like people who struggle with mental health and should have been receiving treatment but due to the way society in Japan treats mental illness, these lovely individuals shut themselves off from the world, which is such a loss.

Since I was grade one. I was a slow learner. And my teacher always pinched me because I did not understand the lesson. And my classmates bullied me. They throw my bag like a basketball and shot into the trash bin. They stole my money and things. And because of the trauma Im afraid to go inside in the room. When the students saw me that I was not in my class. They teased me being cutting classes. They thrown me discouraging words like Im lazy. When I was in grade 3 I quitted three times. In my first year in grade 3. on the frist day class my teacher had a big shouty voice. She let me to stoop up and everyone was looking at me. Because I did not understand, she said something funny to my self and others were laughing. I did not came back after that day. On the second year, I repeated in grade 3 twice. My mother forced me to go to School. I had no choice but to follow. On the first day class. I told my seatmate that he had something liquid like milk on his ear. I told him in a nice way, I was very shy kid. He cried and his cousine came and was very angry and slapped me. I was blushed and everyone was looking at me. I ran and never cameback. On the third year, repeated 3x. My classmates bullied me they shoot me with thier toy gun and it hurts. I tried to be brave and confiscated thier toy gun. One of my classmates punched me. It was so pain. I was crying I ran and never cameback. Since that trauma. I hate to go to School. Never intermingle other kids. I stayed always in the house. We did not have electricity in the small house during that day. I quarantined my self and never talked to people. I read books in the morning until in the evening. Read read and read thats all I did. Life is very mean to me. But I need to fight and be brave to face them and ignore all the negatives and think positive things. Accept the world that not everyone is an angel.

I love these socially withdrawn video stories. They make me feel all cozy and snuggly.

I live in India but I have experienced many of the problems that you have presented so well. I have lived in isolation for the best part of my life. Society just does nor care and is also very cruel. Glad to see my fellow sufferers. Thanks.

"Honest hearts produce honest actions" a simple line to describe them. Despite the bleakness of their live, they are true to themselves.

"It is no sign of good health to be fully integrated into a sick society." Krishna

Mental illness or not, part of the issue is the shame culture of shaming these people for living differently, and blaming them for being different.

I am a former hikikomori in Japan.I had a mental illness but now I am able to work part time. The reason why hikikomori like them were able to appear in this documentary is because it is a creation of a foreign TV station. If their information was aired in Japanese, they would be attacked by netizens all over Japan. The Japanese are that kind of people.

Thank you for the wonderful program. Please provide Japanese subtitles so that many Japanese can view this. たくさんの日本人に観ていただきたいです。

Japan has a saying " The nail that sticks out gets hammered." But a hammer that swings too hard breaks the nail, so now that nail is not useful and is thrown aside but now the ground is full of nails, and the one with the hammer is now stepping on them, hurting themselves.

I've been living like this most of my life, right now at 36 that's exactly how i live and i relate to everything i saw on this video, been looked down upon since early school, difficulties integrating with family, judgment, well the list goes on, I've been trying to be out, but we have psychological wounds that prevents us from succeeding at work, like low self confidence, we're screw ups. Its not a happy life at all.

I'm a well-educated Hikikomori. Got Degrees in Engineering and Law. Always wanted to be in school. Never wanted to get out into real world to work. Could use someone to talk to.

Coming from Germany, having lived in Tokyo for almost two years, I can assure each of you westeners that the social pressure in our world is ridiculous compared to Japan. Their social system is totally backwards - they are technologically very forward and modern, but socially stuck in the 1950s or 60s. If you fell pressured by society and other people's expectations in Europe or the US, never move to Japan. It will break you down mentally.

Is it just me, or does anyone else think "bullied by a teacher" is a euphemism for a more sinister kind of abuse? Poor guy.

I lived in Japan for three years. I can say Japanese people are extremely quiet people. No loud music & keep to themselves most of the time. They are very conscientious people that when bad luck ( ie losing a job) comes to them, it takes a toll on their mental health. Passive aggressive behaviour is so common. These hikikomoris were bullied by passive aggressive people in their lives that they became passive aggressive themselves. But their introspection in life is really deep, like they really listen to their souls. I wish they find the happiness and peace they are looking for, even if it means remaining as hikikomori.

I just want to comment on Takuya-san. You have reached me all the way in Canada. My condition is similar to yours and my life is no different than yours my friend. I'm a 33-year-old Asian female hermit. I quit society few years ago. I suffer from OCD, bitterness,depression and was severely abused from my dad as well and those whom I trusted around me. I no longer trust humans. I no longer feel the passage of time and it's safe to say that I've already given on my life. But I must also say that there's no shame in choosing the hikikomori path since our current world and society has turned into absolute trash. I chose to spend my remaining life in peace and quiet hiding from the current sick world. You are not alone Takuya-san.

"His only points of interaction were his mother [] and his dog, []…...both have died in the last two years. He says its his dog that he misses the most"

I can totally relate to them...social withdrawal occurs to those individuals who have gone through bullies,couldn’t fit into society and couldn’t make a friends ...this result into social distancing and taking resort with their own self.I don’t think they are happy inside ...they just doesn’t want to go through the similar experiences that they face during childhood

Yutaka is actually depressed, I can see it. He's just not aware of it due to him being happy all the time...

The first 3 minutes of the video just crushed my heart. I feel pity for the 50-year-old man who was diagnosed 5 years ago only with ADHD. I imagined my son in the shoes of that man. My son, who was diagnosed with mild autism and ADHD, is so obsessed with Japan and dreams of living in Japan. I like to live in Japan too since I was a child, but after watching many videos about Japanese culture, I realize that Japan is not a good place to live for my son. Japan is a beautiful place to travel and other reasons, but for people with a developmental and mental disorder, it's just hard to imagine how is their life there. These people need x10 attention, understanding, and support from their own families. As a mother, you wanted all the best for your child so you support, guide, teach, and love them. It appears that as a Japanese, you need to cope with all the issues of society and personal problems all by yourself even your death (the number of people dying alone is increasing in Japan). They are lacking love and acceptance because of these "standards" that forces you to be NOT YOU and NOT live the life that you call life. I'm thankful that I'm living in my country full of cheerful people, lovable, supportive families up to the 2nd or 3rd generation, but still, society pressure is visible but tolerable and not painful/suicidal like in Japan.

Poor guy, can't even adopt another dog

In my opinion the problem is simple. Cultural pressure that Japanese society puts on their Children. Myself an Indian and we also have this problem of judgmental society. In rest of Asian culture its much more diluted. Indians and South Koreans have a track record for depression and suicides when it comes to competitive exams and learning. When everybody says Asians are very successful they forget that many are left behind in this race.

Takuya's story broke my heart, he looks so terribly sad and lonely. He clearly feels the need for an emotional connection that's why he tried adopting a dog which I think it's a wonderful idea. It's crazy that only families are allowed to adopt. When he showed the reporter that beautiful flyer with the boy and the dog... that was it for me. Maybe they would let him volunteer at the shelter? Hope he and all the others in this documentary are well and content.

Such a kind hearted person and life has been so cruel to him. I hope he finds some happiness.

The young kid found his path early in life.

"Do you want me to kill him??" I can't even imagine.

They are really courageous for admitting that they are hikikomori’s especially in Japan...

What a great piece- I especially loved seeing the man who runs the alternative school for the kids that stopped going to regular school. Kids should be encouraged to be themselves, have fun, express their feelings, and feel safe.

I totally get him. I thought Tokyo was heaven visiting as a tourist but the society is way too oppressive

Such an insightful and necessary documentary. My heart goes out to those who are so lonely and emotionally in need of someone to reassure them. One common thread through many of the interviewees’ experiences is that of an unpleasant, abusive experience at school, and the impact that it had on the decision to embrace the hikikomori lifestyle. That phenomenon is something that also needs to be explored in depth, particularly since the teachers seem to be given free reign to interact with the students in a way that causes them harm. Especially for students who may have anxiety, different disorders, or are shyer than others.

You feel like you're being forced to play a role. I felt that.

If you're an introverted person, that's who you are! It's unfair for others to try to make you anything else. They have their own interests and talents but society won't let them.

The people featured in this feature suffered or experienced abuse or developmental disorder when they were younger. One may feel they're all still children, hiding in a house. :( great video, anyway, very enlightening.

Masato's mother is amazing, she's just so real. Happy for her, hope she keeps going and they all flourish as a family @14:46 realising that is priceless and shows her maturity, wisdom and humility. Beautiful

Kenji in the first case: Though he is the social stay-puts, he is very eloquent and analytical when he talks about himself.

Being an asian, every middle class household has the same mindset of strict parenting which eventually led them to social isolation. And financially indepent is very mich require to live our life in our wish.

This is a very enlightening documentary with so much depth, sensitivity and humanity. I particularly liked how the parents, the mothers in particular, were always there for their children through it all. The reminder that it could happen to anyone is also very real. Wishing for positivity, strength and enlightenment for everyone who is going through something like this!

honestly, this was me ten years ago. i was forced to go to school because home school wasn't an option in my area. i mostly interact with one friend in real life when she's in town but beyond that I spend a lot of my time in my room. I'm mostly talking to my friends online. my sister is like this. I'm a shut in because of health reasons and I feel more safe because humanity is scary and I never really fit in because I was atypical in my local community. i feel these people.

Thanks to everyone that was interviewed! Your experiences will help others for sure, thank you for sharing!

Twenty odd years ago, I decided to stop mingling and stay to myself. I am tired of worrying about what people think of me. I too lose track of time. I visit my daughter and I say high to my neighbors but spend most of my time in my world. I have my dogs. A lot of people are doing this. It has to do with the way things are now in society. I waited until I was finished raising my children and able to live off my income. Now I am free to do me without worrying about judgmental people. I was very talkative and loved dancing and sports. I am 72 and I've done all I had to do. I did have fun and now I seek peace and quiet. I now give my voice to the internet.

Speaking as somebody who has watched many treatments of this issue, this is the only one that stands out to me as having any real sensitivity, depth, or understanding of what many of the underlying factors are here. I used to be a hikikomori type myself, still kind of am. Slowly crawling out of it. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to reply here and I'll do my best to get back to you. MANY thanks to Al Jazeera for the video ~allison

9:03 Aww when the dog's tail stopped wagging as soon as he left. My heart 😔

I spent 12 years living like this.. But eventually you must get out, financial reasons force you.. It's so hard, to change..

For me its because of workplace mobbing that I experienced. This turned me into a hikikomori for 3 years after resigning from the job

Watching these videos about hikikomori is definitely making me sympathize with their situation more. I know most of these cases revolve around Japanese but I know it's a worldwide phenomenon. And now with this virus taking over the globe I'm starting to think that people like this are only going to increase. Companies are going out of business, people are losing their jobs and now with social distancing a lot of us have become involuntary shut ins for who knows how long. Once this worldwide lockdown is over, there's no doubt in my mind that many survivors will end up sinking into a depression either due to mourning the loss of a loved one or because they have no idea if or when they're going to get back on their feet. In developed nations like Japan, South Korea, the US, the UK, etc, we already had young, college educated people struggling to find full-time work, and in just the last 30 days the economy around the world just got plunged deeper into trouble. More people are probably going to just remove themselves from society because the idea of trying to get back into the rat race just seems hopeless.

The guy who helps children and mother who take care for her boy were so cool. Yutaka, you are my hero.

im from the uk and i feel the same i just dont fit in anywhere no real mates you do feel like your not living i feel like a ghost people just dont see me .

That artist is amazing. The Japanese are creative souls.

Lived in Japan for a few years & loved it. But when this guy talks about being bullied & the adults at the school told him he deserved it, it brought to mind a train crash where hundreds of people died when I was living there. The train driver was a young guy (he died in the crash), who had been bullied by the older staff for not being on time. There are many underlying issues/problems in Japan..not a few, many

He has a lot of energy It would be difficult for him to be in a classroom with 20 other kids sitting down and doing sit work.

This was very compassionately presented, well narrated, and beautifully filmed. Thank you. Good food for thought.

Thank you for this insightful & compassionate piece. I've been slowly slipping into hermithood these last several years & wondering how to go about reversing the downward spiral of depression & isolation. The two feed off each other so it's a constant loop. I often blame myself for moving to a rural neighborhood where it's easier to just simply not engage with life. In the big city, life was beating down my doors, not allowing my retreat. That broken door artwork was very powerful! I can also relate to that guy who didn't know how to re-enter society & get a job. Same dilemma here. I often refer to it as having painted myself into a corner. Covid-19 has actually given me a break from the self recrimination, since everyone else also has to stay home & isolate as much as possible, i can now feel like I'm doing something right for a change, haha :)

That is cruel that Tekushi could not adopt a dog.

23:18 I'm really surprised they didn't mention Wabi-sabi (侘寂), it really seems like the artworks were inspired by it. Wabi-sabi is pretty much centered around the idea that imperfections makes something more unique and beautiful. Objects with cracks in them are often repaired using liquid gold leaf to highlight the imperfections, like in these artworks. Applying the Wabi-sabi mindset to hikikomori seems like a great way to raise awareness about them without increasing the stigma.

OCD and ADHD are often also 'co-morbid' with Autism and Aspergers, which must be especially challenging in a culture that places so much importance on the intricacies of social communication and 'relationships'.

As much as this seems to be about Japanese society, there is much here that's universal. Every culture has its norms & expectations; and each has its isolated individuals that can't adapt. And their existence always highlights some kind of tension within the families and schools (which prefer that they conform). Family & school act as 'fracture points'.

i watch a young korean youtuber and she never leaves her room. she has contractual work she does in her room for a wage but never leaves. the work is picked up when completed and her groceries are ordered online and delivered. i always wonder why it seems more and more this happens

Thank you to these people for sharing their experiences about conditions that many schizoid patients/hikkikomori have to go through. I also feel like I just don't belong in "Normal" society so I havn't try as hard as others to climb the "Ladder". Once you get tired from pretending to be who you ain't and stop trying to fit in, It will just get harder and harder to go back to living a "Normal" life that society expects from you. Well some hikkikomori/schizoid could manage to live a normal life if they try hard enough but it won't be a fun journey. Also @12:49 that made me mad. So instead of trying to help his brother who clearly suffers from illness he wanted to end his brother's life? Is being narcissist/sociopath a requirement for being successful in today society? I am tired.

He is telling my life story , bulling by teachers

I think those hikikomori are smart. they talked about their opinion/feeling/thought very well. people/governments should listen to them and find the solution to their concerns.

I'm sure there are self isolated people else where in the world too. It's really hard when you have a condition no one understands.

School can be so much like prison... of course kids feel traumatized

If children say they'd rather die than going to school, there is a huge problem with the school or the parenting at home.

I kind of admire the hikikomori, it takes a different kind of strength to stay socially withdrawn with the pull of society

Must say, good job to the mom speaking out about this and even acknowledging how the effects of verbal abuse (thats so common in Asia)

Thank you Aljazeera for another thought-provoking documentary. Thank you so much

So this was recommended by UKposts after I watched a video about being an INFP. Definitely relate to him in almost every way. I tolerate the outside world (people) but I love being at home, with my cat, reading, writing, creating, cooking, sleeping. I love being in nature as well. It's people that, for the most part, ruin it for me.

"Actually, looking back, I'm schocked by how fast 30 years have passed. Perhaps it's because my days are so repetitive, I don't feel the passage of time." That terrifies me above all, one day waking up and realising, that I wasted my life and now it's to late to start living.

Man this documentary hit hard. Been there before when everyone wanted something from you and the minute you fail to provide them. They disappear. I'm no sociologist or psychologist but I hope they find peace in their hearts and their beings.

That little boy is a ray of hope, totally hit me in the feels.

His flyer was absolutely adorable and amazing. Wish he could go into art.

This was amazing! Thank you. I worked with students with exceptionalities and was the most rewarding experience. I will forever be grateful and truly believe that they have impacted my life in such a positive way.