"Hikikomori" and Japan's Role in the World

Jul 2, 2008

Michael Zielenziger discusses Japan's hikikomori, bright young people who opt to live as shut-ins because they don't fit in a society of high conformity and low entrepreneurship.

Author Michael Zielenziger (Shutting Out the Sun: How Japan Created Its Own Lost Generation) discusses the sociology of Japan's hikikomori—bright, creative people in their working years who choose to live as shut-ins because they don't fit in a society of high conformity and low entrepreneurship. He believes that stagnant governance and a values crisis are weakening Japan's competitive position in the world.

You may also like

MAR 27, 2024 Article

The Specter of EMP Weapons in Space

Visiting Fellow Zhanna Malekos Smith details the danger of electromagnetic pulse weapons. How can nations protect themslves from this catastrophic threat?

MAR 26, 2024 Podcast

When the War Machine Decides: Algorithms, Secrets, and Accountability in Modern Conflict, with Brianna Rosen

Arthur Holland Michel and Oxford's Brianna Rosen discuss the war in Gaza, the U.S. drone program, and algorithmic decisions, transparency, and accountability.

MAR 22, 2024 Podcast

Two Core Issues in the Governance of AI, with Elizabeth Seger

In this "Artificial Intelligence & Equality" podcast, Carnegie-Uehiro Fellow Wendell Wallach and Demos' Elizabeth Seger discuss how to make generative AI safe and democratic.

Not translated

This content has not yet been translated into your language. You can request a translation by clicking the button below.

Request Translation