Key result
Voluntary self-reclusion emerges as a global phenomenon rather than a culture-bound syndrome under a novel model.
Why the study?
Hikikomori is still widely regarded as a culture-bound syndrome associated with Japan and Korea, despite growing reports of voluntary self-reclusion globally.
Frames hikikomori as a global concern rather than a culture-bound syndrome limited to Japan or Korea, proposing a novel model to explain its cross-cultural occurrence.
Alerts clinicians to hikikomori beyond East Asia; challenges culture-bound status and extends research with novel learning model.
Despite numerous isolated reports of voluntary self-reclusion—even in the absence of any mental illness—particularly affecting young individuals (termed hikikomori ), the phenomenon is still widely regarded as a culture-bound syndrome associated with Japan and Korea. This viewpoint reviews the growing evidence of hikikomori -like cases from around the world, comparing them with major findings from studies in Japan and Korea. Finally, it proposes a novel “cooking the broth” model, based on learning theories and globalization, to explain the cross-cultural occurrence of hikikomori . This viewpoint aims to encourage essential research in this often-neglected area by framing hikikomori as a global concern, not one limited to Japan or Korea.
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Biswas et al. (2026) conducted a review in Voluntary self-reclusion (Hikikomori). Voluntary self-reclusion (hikikomori) is increasingly recognized as a global phenomenon rather than a culture-bound syndrome, explained by a novel 'cooking the broth' model.
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