“Question: Why can one keep living as a hikikomori? Answer: Because one's food, clothing and shelter are assured. It's because one is permitted a lukewarm bare minimum of a life that one can keep living as a hikikomori indefinitely. Being able to live as a hikikomori was in itself very much a luxury. Without the assurance of food, clothing and shelter, unless you're prepared to die, there's no other way but to work.”