Voluntary self-reclusion (Hikikomori) across cultures: A conceptual viewpoint

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.