Man helping youths pull out of "hikikomori"

Man helping youths pull out of "hikikomori"

NAGOYA, Japan - Kazushi Suganuma (L) watches young people working at a coffee shop in Nagoya operated by his support association on Aug. 6, 2013. Suganuma established the association together with his brother and others to help young people adapt to social life through work experience.

Japanese women redefine stereotype of "hikikomori" as male-only issue

Japanese women redefine stereotype of "hikikomori" as male-only issue

Kyoko Hayashi (facing), who is leading efforts to help women identified as "hikikomori," or social withdrawal, speaks during a gathering of such women in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward on Aug. 23, 2016. (Photo is partly altered for privacy protection)(Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Socially-withdrawn man kills his parents

Socially-withdrawn man kills his parents

OSAKA, Japan - A house in Higashiosaka, Osaka Prefecture, where a man killed his parents after being socially withdrawn for about 20 years, a condition known as ''hikikomori'' in Japan. The photo was taken on Oct. 19, 2004. (Kyodo)

Cheese factory supports socially withdrawn youths

Cheese factory supports socially withdrawn youths

SAPPORO, Japan - A cheese factory in Hokkaido supports ''hikikomori'' or those youths who refuse to go to school and remain in seclusion at home by providing them with vocational training to help them return to normal life. The photo was taken on Sept. 22, 2003. (Kyodo)

13 Socially withdrawn youths make pilgrimage

13 Socially withdrawn youths make pilgrimage

TOKUSHIMA, Japan - Thirteen socially withdrawn youths known as ''hikikomori'' in Japan make pilgrimage to Gokuraku Temple in Tokushima Prefecture to brace themselves up and reenter society. The photo was taken on Sept. 6, 2003. (Kyodo)