'Hikikomori' no more! Japan launches alter ego robots to combat social isolation

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Small-scale speaking robots are being used to help fight an increasing social problem known as ‘hikikomori,’ a phenomenon where people withdraw and isolate themselves in their homes. The Director for ‘hikikomori’ support from the Kobe City Welfare Bureau demonstrated how to interact with the talking robot on Tuesday.

The city of Kobe launched a program to help isolated people interact virtually with support workers through ‘alter-ego’ robots, which aims at assisting those who have social anxiety.

“Through this robot, people can see people’s faces and have a little conversation with them, which gave them a great sense of security. Most of them are inspired to want to go out and meet people outside their homes,” explained Masako.

Thanks to the alter-ego robot called OriHime, developed by OryLab Inc., people can communicate with their voice and gestures from their homes or other locations without necessarily showing their faces.

SOUNDBITES:

SOT, Masako Matsubara, Office director for “hikikomori” Support at Kobe City Welfare Bureau “When we talk to people who have withdrawn from society, we find that many of them have become drop-outs, because they were unable to have good relationships with their friends at school. Others, unable to hold meaningful human relations, quit their jobs and isolate in their homes.”

SOT, Masako Matsubara, Office director for “hikikomori” Support at Kobe City Welfare Bureau (Japanese): “So, after taking the step to talk to family members or supporters like us, they need to make contact with more people, but the hurdle is super stressful because of intense social anxiety.”

SOT, Masako Matsubara, Office director for “hikikomori” Support at Kobe City Welfare Bureau (Japanese): “Now, we’re using the “OriHime” robot to help them meet with people other than family members and supporters. Instead of doing it in person, the robot lets them experience what kind of people they are going to talk to, and what kind of places and people they are going to experience.”

SOT, Masako Matsubara, Office director for “hikikomori” Support at Kobe City Welfare Bureau (Japanese): “There are many people who do not want to show their faces, which is something you have to do on applications like Zoom. This robot allows them to hide their face, but its gestures make it easier to communicate with people. It’s also a robot that can communicate easily through gestures.”

SOT, Masako Matsubara, Office director for “hikikomori” Support at Kobe City Welfare Bureau (Japanese): “Through this robot, people are able to see people’s faces and have a little conversation with them, which gave them a great sense of security. Most of them are inspired to want to go out and meet people outside their homes.”

SOT, Yoshihiko Fujimoto, Social Worker, President of NPO Orange-no-kai Kobe (Japanese): “We have been working on this project for about 20 years, but 20 years ago, there was no such word as “hikikomori.” Parents just wondered what was happening to their children, their sons and daughters, who could not leave their rooms or homes. They didn’t know. It all started from a point of confusion as to what was going on.”

SOT, Yoshihiko Fujimoto, Social Worker, President of NPO Orange-no-kai Kobe (Japanese): “As a result, it became clear later on that withdrawal is a problem where not only the person, but also their family members become isolated from society and withdraw. However, in the beginning, it was very difficult for the family and even the parents to open up about the problem or to find companions.”

SOT, Yoshihiko Fujimoto, Social Worker, President of NPO Orange-no-kai Kobe (Japanese): “‘Ibasho’ refers to a place where you can feel yourself. Because they are isolated, this project allows them to connect with people and society online.”

SOT, Yoshihiko Fujimoto, Social Worker, President of NPO Orange-no-kai Kobe (Japanese): “You don’t necessarily have to be sociable, so for example, you can come and try to read a book by yourself. However, even though you’re reading alone, there are people around you, activities going on and this environment helps them return to society. That’s what we do at our places, ‘Ibasho,’ they’re places for them to feel good in.”

#SocialDistancing #COVID19 #coronavirus #Japan

Video ID: 20220209-007

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