"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

MAY 18, 2026 Article

A Conversation with Carnegie Ethics Fellow Alex Urwin

This conversation features Alex Urwin, head of strategic partnerships & projects at the UK prime minister's office.

MAY 14, 2026 Podcast

Practicing Strategic Empathy and Navigating Competing Values

University of Hong Kong's Professor Brian Wong discusses U.S.-China relations and how to practice strategic empathy without succumbing to moral relativism.

MAY 6, 2026 Podcast

Building Moral and Professional Resilience

Watch/listen to the latest "Values & Interests" podcast featuring Gilles Michaud, UN Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security.

Not translated

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

Request Translation