▪ Isolated and reclusive youth refers to young people with limited social activities and insufficient human support networks, an issue recently emerging as a social concern.
▪ Since August 2024, the government has launched support initiatives including a pilot one-stop counseling service (Youth Future Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare).
▪ This report examines the current status of isolated and reclusive youth based on recent surveys, government support policies and programs, and offers policy considerations.
▪ The estimated number of isolated and reclusive youth (ages 19-34) reaches up to 540,000.
▪ Compared to their peers, isolated and reclusive youth show insufficient social relationships and lower levels of life satisfaction and mental health.
▪ The main reasons for isolation/reclusion include employment failure (24.1%), interpersonal relationships (23.5%), family relationships (12.4%), and health issues (12.4%). Most (80.8%) wish to escape their current situation.
▪ Research indicates that these youth issues generate social costs amounting to 22 million won per person annually, totaling 7.5 trillion won (as of 2019). Given that many isolated and reclusive youth wish to escape their current situation, social support is necessary.
▪ Both the National Assembly and the government are exploring various policy support measures to address issues affecting youth, who should be the central pillar of the economy and society.
▪ ① The National Assembly is currently discussing bills to support at-risk youth, including those who are isolated and reclusive.
▪ ② The government presented “Support Measures for Isolated and Reclusive Youth” (Dec. 2023) as one of five major youth welfare initiatives (Sept. 2023).
▪ Various ministries including Health and Welfare, Employment and Labor, Education, Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Gender Equality and Family are implementing related programs.
▪ ③ Some local governments initiated their own support programs for these youth even before the government announced its support plan in 2023.
▪ Despite ongoing support for socially withdrawn individuals (引き籠もり; hikikomori) in Japan, the problem remains unresolved and has expanded to middle-aged and older adults.
▪ It is essential to define target populations more precisely and improve consistency between national and local governments.
▪ Youth Future Centers need stable operation as one-stop service points and must develop success stories.
▪ Systematic support and long-term prevention frameworks needed