한국의 은둔형과 일본의 히키코모리 청년대상의 정부지원정책 ―고용지원정책을 중심으로― = Government Support Policies for Hikikomori Youth in Korea and Japan －Focusing on Employment Support Policies－

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Both Korea and Japan recognize the social gravity of the reclusive youth problemand have developed response systems tailored to their own unique characteristics. In Japan, early social discussions began in the 1990s, leading to active government-community collaboration. As of 2024, there are 38 "Hikikomori Community Support Centers, 110 ‘Hikikomori Support Stations’ and 155 ‘Hikikomori Support Projects’ operated by local governments nationwide. Employment is supported by 179 nationwide support stations for youth and young adults. Korea has only recently begun to respond with new public policy. In 2023, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced the "Isolated and Reclusive Youth Support Plan," and in 2022, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family included isolated and reclusive youth as eligible for special support through the "Strengthening Support Plan for High-Risk Youth." Reclusive youth face an increased risk of isolation and illness over time, thus early detection and proactive intervention are crucial. In the future, Korea should model its approach on Japan's case-based, community-based model to establish a customized, tiered, and integrated support system for reclusive youth.