Throughout history, human beings have developed various cultures all over the world. Within the many cultures and countries of the world, one can also find many different “subcultures” that have emerged over the years. The Merriam Webster Online Dictionary defines a subculture as: “an ethnic, regional, economic, or social group exhibiting characteristic patterns of behavior sufficient to distinguish it from others within an encompassing culture or society” (Merriam -Webster). That said, this essay will look at a unique subculture in Japan called: “Hikikomori.” Hikikomori have become a major issue in Japan. Interpreted practically as a “social withdrawal”, hikikomori refers to “the state of anomie into which a growing number of young Japanese seem to fall today”. Thus, in order to understand the hikikomori subculture, one must first learn what exactly hikikomori are, its effects on the individual involved in the subculture as well as the family and friends surrounding the hikikomori, and finally how and when this subculture began. is a group of people who avoid social contact and lock themselves in their rooms, refusing any contact with the outside world. They live in reverse: they sleep all day, wake up in the evening and stay up all night watching TV or playing. video games (Jhon). Some have computers or cell phones, but most have few or no friends. Hikikomori often isolate themselves from society and if they have obtained their diploma, they do not seek one. After completing higher education, young people break off relationships with their friends, but they can chat with several people through the Internet, either from home or using the web...... middle of paper... ...uku, preparation for high school. and university entrance examination (Jhon). As stated in the foreword, when examining a subculture like hikikomori, it is imperative to evaluate the basis of said subculture, its effects as well as its origins. The hikikomori subculture has caused widespread concern in Japan, with some commentators fearing a major youth crisis that would have implications for public health, social integration and economic participation. Although there is evidence that acute social withdrawal has become more common, it is important not to exaggerate the prevalence or attempt to reduce the explanation to individual psychological discomfort. However interpreted, labor statistics simply do not support the idea that the number of hikikomori is around a million and it is likely that the figure is closer to 200,000 (different).