A key characteristic of hikikomori is about never maturing from a state of functional adolescence. I think there's a pretty big misconception about hikikomori in which the distinction is not explicitly made often enough. Also, are housewives/husbands and family caretakers (unpaid) considered NEET or even part of the equation? I just wanna know how exactly it helps their govt help them. I think it's good to have a distinction but for what purpose? For diagnosis? Disability benefits? Surveys? It seems difficult to count the number of hikikomori because they're so isolated. So what do you guys think of Japan making these distinctions? NEET(manga* otaku): mostly shown at a manga cafe during day and night - ability to socialize and go outside with much less mental burden than hikikomori, shown in the classic NEET tracksuitįreeter(military otaku): mostly indoors like the other two, but is explicitly shown to have a part-time job as security officer, some shame when his father walks in on his anticsįreeter (ie wo kau): various part-time jobs, didn't want to commit/conform to Japan's work style and ethics, still wanted to have stable employment, constant shame and insults from father Hikikomori(galge otaku): never left room, food on tray brought to him by family member which is placed on the floor of the door entrance, Acute Social Withdrawal (apparent angst/uneasiness/refusal at the thought of going outside), social interaction is mainly online Recently, I finished watching two j-dramas: 'Densha Otoko'(3rd rewatch lol) and 'Freeter, Ie wo Kau' In Densha, there are definitely boundaries/differences shown of Hiki, NEET, and Freeter otaku through the supporting characters which all interact through 2ch. He lives alone and goes out to buy food or to relax outside. I watch a Japanese youtuber who considers himself hikikomori, but works from home, selling online and/or writing articles. I feel like even for Japanese, NEET and hikikomori definitions are easily muddled. So what do you guys think of Japan making these distinctions?ĭo you guys think there is a difference between a NEET and a unemployed person?ĭefinitely, for the reasons you listed. The article also goes into the differences between Freeters (Japan's part-time workers) and Hikikomori (Acute Social Withdrawal) and it also clarifies that Hikikomori and NEET technically mean the same thing the only difference is NEETs can socially interact while hikikomori do not socially interact and do not leave their bedrooms however hikikomori does not necessarily mean that the person never leaves home and those who are at home but make money are not considered hikikomori but rather regarded as self-employed. The reason i ask this is because i have seen people in the NEET community call themselves NEET when they are just temporarily unemployed and not exactly refusing to work or go to school and contribute to society. It clarifies that NEETs are those who have given up and do not seek employment and are not an education or vocational training either and unlike NEETs unemployed persons still seek out employment. Do you guys think there is a difference between a NEET and a unemployed person? A Japanese article i found highlights the difference between those who are NEET and those who are temporarily unemployed but still seeking employment.

Freeter vs neet vs hikikomori