tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49615901166578090282024-03-06T00:41:17.646-08:00SendairectImo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961590116657809028.post-22450860732342143782014-10-21T03:34:00.003-07:002014-10-21T03:40:51.802-07:00Salience networking related to handedness.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Differences in being left hand
dominated and right hand dominated can be a starting point in evaluating cerebral
dominance, behavioral-cerebral correlations and inter and intra-hemispheric meshing.
The neuron system in patients with neuro psychiatric disorders is responsive in
differing pathways depending on handedness, clearly seen in brain saliencing
networks when given the same behavioral tasks. If we can trace handedness related
neural pathway variations, it is one way
drugs can be more precisely prescribed for the millions of sufferers who are
not experiencing effective relief from symptoms.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">A second way to map the fundamental cause of brain disease
is to take the theory that neural stem cells mature certain brain cells too
early and this early maturity is triggered by extreme stress at a crucial
moment in adolescent brain development. This
then affects how those cells are merged in the cellular network and may cause blocks. In
order to put this theory into practice, we can follow a sample group of
adolescents with mental health disorders of any kind in their immediate family in
a “diary plus brain map” experiment to establish data that could be used to taxonomize prevailing
factors and exact times where young adults and brain development are most
vulnerable.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Imo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961590116657809028.post-54552810784632489082014-08-12T09:17:00.004-07:002014-08-12T09:46:41.004-07:00Bi-polar and SZ connective genetic mutation in late adolescence. Notes.<b>The latter part of adolescent brain development </b>is of particular interest to mental health care research, because the time window corresponds to the age of onset
of most major neuropsychiatric disorders, especially schizophrenia. A
striking feature is the similarity between
genes and processes altered during late adolescence and those known to
be dysfunctional in the schizophrenia brain. For example, the leading
candidate risk factor gene, NRG1.<b>which has also been linked to bipolar disorder</b> is minimally expressed during late adolescence together with its ligand ERBB4. This result is supported by salience network analysis of prefrontal cortex changes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdglUA5KP9feDITC95HzmgTW_xw1w1kX75KpDRYsrJwki_wrouwQVkwz_JBC0d67r5Wzw8dCuFJJcLP_fbf2dHqSbrZcH90TKT6MTo3sBgpUXC7Ptuad0HV5OohXZFLdyu2Lq49pJANV6/s1600/webmd_rm_photo_of_schizophrenic_brain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdglUA5KP9feDITC95HzmgTW_xw1w1kX75KpDRYsrJwki_wrouwQVkwz_JBC0d67r5Wzw8dCuFJJcLP_fbf2dHqSbrZcH90TKT6MTo3sBgpUXC7Ptuad0HV5OohXZFLdyu2Lq49pJANV6/s1600/webmd_rm_photo_of_schizophrenic_brain.jpg" height="217" width="320" /></a></div>
<h4>
borrowed image: disclaimer.</h4>
<div class="tsec sec" id="__sec13">
<div class="sec" id="__sec17">
<div class="p p-first" id="__p32">
Due
to the strong evidence for white matter alterations during adolescent
brain development, and evidence for the involvement of aberrant
myelination in major neuro-psychiatric disorders, it can be predicted that genes
related to myelination would be detected in this analysis.</div>
</div>
It has often been been debated whether the decrease in grey matter
volume in the adolescent prefrontal cortex found in brain imaging
studies is a true reflection of synaptic loss or in fact an artefactual
representation of increased white matter volume. There is evidence at the gene expression level that there are alterations in processes associated with synaptic development
during adolescence, in addition to increased expression of myelination
genes. Genes associated with energy generation via
glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation reach peak expression during
adolescence, coupled with other active cellular processes such as
transcription, translation and protein transport. This may represent an
increase in energy supply to the prefrontal cortex. There is a peak in resting cortical glucose utilisation in early adolescence
with a gradual decline to reach adult values in late adolescence.</div>
<br />
<b>Bi-polar or schizophrenia</b><br />
Previous hypotheses have focused on the role of neuregulin in
early development as a predisposing factor to schizophrenia, the present
data suggest that it has an important additional function in the
maturation of the prefrontal cortex and may be one of the factors
involved in specific mutation and development at this time point.<br />
<br />
<div id="__p47">
Neurotransmitter
systems that show altered function during adolescence may also be
particularly vulnerable to perturbation during this period; results
suggest that neuropeptide and glutamate signalling may be particularly
important. There is strong evidence that glutamatergic abnormalities are seen in
schizophrenia <b>and</b> bi-polar, possibly due to the <b>psychosis-inducing effects of
glutamate antagonists such as PCP. </b><br />
<br />
Alterations in neuropeptides in neuropsychiatric create disorders and
<b> the alteration in expression </b>of these genes <b>during this critical
developmental period</b>, in a region of the brain strongly associated with
schizophrenia symptoms, (in particular auditory hallucinations) strengthens the evidence for their role in the
etiology of schizophrenia.<br />
</div>
It should be noted that the <b>exact</b> development of these gene expressions are directly <b>connected to the <u>timing and peaking</u> of contributing stress factors</b> of which the neurotransmitter systems are the key monitors of. My theory is that both bi-polar and SZ are strongly and closely linked and the exact mutation moments are critical in confirmation of which will develop. With farther and extensive brain salience networking analysis of early-late adolescent brain development especially in traumatized young adults, we can I believe begin an earlier diagnosis of both disorders.Imo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961590116657809028.post-88254889796527279732014-05-05T23:08:00.000-07:002014-05-06T06:06:21.498-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Magnifying
detailed core differences in symptomatic display of hikikomori from a cross
cultural perspective.<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>NOT FINISHED: disclaimer, references not yet added...biblio not yet done. 1st draft.</u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Abstract</u>:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In answer to areas of doubt that surface in the ongoing
claim that ‘hikikomori’ is a culture bound <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
syndrome, this paper looks very briefly but closely at five
important differences in the symptomatic <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
manifestations that are different in social withdrawal in
both Japan and other countries; and in doing so <o:p></o:p>draws from the limited documented research available on
differences of not only symptom but also <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
societal attitude and treatment approach.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Introduction:<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In this paper I would like to define and further address five
of the key points that arose from question <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and answer session at the international IAFOR Psychiatry and
Behavioral Science Conference in Osaka <o:p></o:p>this March. I
presented the opinion that hikikomori is a Japanese culture bound symptom and <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
disorder at the conference and had the fortune to speak with
many clinical psychiatrists from New <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Zealand, Australia, Taiwan, India, UK, Korea, and USA afterwards regarding the claim. In doing so I <o:p></o:p>narrowed down the five areas that I believe are key in identifying hikikomori as a specifically
culture <o:p></o:p>bound phenomena, in
other words a Japanese specific psychiatric symptom.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->The confusion and definitive boundary definition
lines of hikikomori and <i>agoraphobia</i> or
<i>acute social withdrawal </i>which are
synonymously used as other definitive descriptions of hikikomori in the US and
UK.<br />
<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The fact that <b>80%</b> of hikikomori sufferers in
Japan only, are male.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The specific connection that Japanese hikikomori
has with prior school<b> truancy</b> V the
very low percentage of this being a trigger factor in other countries.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The extreme length/<b>duration </b>of hikikomori withdrawal in Japan V other countries.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The absence of key symptoms such as <b>panic</b> and lack of <b>social stigma</b> that are present in social withdrawal and agoraphobia
as defined in Western Psychiatry but not in hikikomori.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<u><b>Key difference #1</b>.</u><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
William Foreman from Michigan in USA( 2012:3 ) writes:<br />
<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<i>Hikikomori <b>overlaps with</b> several Western mental health diagnoses including
pervasive developmental disorders, avoidant personality disorder, PTSD and
other anxiety disorders. I will outline some of the comparisons to agoraphobia
and social phobia.</i><i><o:p></o:p></i><br />
<i>Hikikomori is similar in many respects
to severe agoraphobia. While many people with agoraphobia are afraid only of <b>specific clusters of activity</b> such as
driving or attending crowded events, others are afraid to leave home at all.
Hikikomori is defined as a state of complete social withdrawal that lasts at
least three months in Korea or six months in Japan. In both disorders,
sufferers typically do not communicate with anyone outside the home.<o:p></o:p></i><br />
<i>A major difference between hikikomori
and agoraphobia is <b>the age of onset.</b>
Hikikomori is strictly a disorder of young adults. Those who were in the first
group to be diagnosed are, as of 2013, not yet 40 years old. To be initially
diagnosed, the sufferer must be no older than 30</i><i><o:p></o:p></i><br />
<br />
This is just one of many clinical psychiatrist’s observations
that specific differences exist in the <o:p></o:p><br />
actual semantic clarity of definitive status between hikikomori
and similar psychiatric symptoms <o:p></o:p><br />
elsewhere. Foreman writes “<i>overlaps
with</i>” and I believe this is an accurate claim that clarifies <o:p></o:p><br />
the uniquely cultural bound nature of hikikomori. There are too
many other examples to list here <o:p></o:p><br />
but time and again in published definitions found in psychiatric
journals<span lang="JA" style="font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">¹</span>both social withdrawal <o:p></o:p><br />
and agoraphobia are defined with elements or key components
missing when compared with the <o:p></o:p><br />
Japanese definition of hikikomori<span lang="JA" style="font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">²</span><br />
<br />
While some of the non Japanese psychiatrists I have spoken with and mailed
with, have claimed to have seen <o:p></o:p>patients who are suffering from ‘hikikomori’, their interpretation
of the term does not include <o:p></o:p>some of the components I believe to be Japanese specific and
therefore, like the name itself <o:p></o:p><br />
include; the extreme
reluctance of families to take part in behavioral therapy at initial onset- <o:p></o:p><br />
where it is proven to be most effective; <o:p></o:p>the pressure on first borns and often male children to follow
one educational path toward <o:p></o:p>job fulfilment; the prevalence of truancy preceding hikikomori,
the history of Japanese mind set <o:p></o:p>“retreat/ignore” as a defense position; the unique social stigma
magnified by proximity of <o:p></o:p>neighbors in a small land space and many others<span style="font-family: "MS Mincho";">.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many psychiatrists from other countries that I spoke with
claimed that the treatment of what they felt <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
was hikikomori or its equivalent, necessitated a strong approach by bringing
the young adult out of his <o:p></o:p>room with force and into family group therapy urgently; interestingly the ways felt appropriate to
broach treatment and healing of hikikomori <o:p></o:p>symptoms also vary from country to country according to educational and child raising norms- meaning the ways
felt appropriate to treat hikikomori are <o:p></o:p>also culturally specific; in itself an indication that <b>there
is little reason not to assume that the specific <o:p></o:p>definition and manifestation of hikikomori is also
culturally specific.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><b>Key Difference #2</b><o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dr. Saito Tamaki, who coined the term hikikomori back in 1998,
and with whom I had the great pleasure <o:p></o:p>of meeting in his Funabashi clinic in March 2014, claims in
his book ( ) that hikikomori is culture bound <o:p></o:p>due to the epic number (over one million) who have chosen to
stay in their rooms in an act of seeming <o:p></o:p>defiance against cultural expectations that do not exist in
the exact same way in other countries. This <o:p></o:p>was an area I felt to be one connected to the history and
language and social etiquette that is linked to <o:p></o:p>the unique culture of Japanese people. In a culture that is
so very different from Western culture, how <o:p></o:p>can we expect psychological disorders to be the same <i>when………………………………………….()<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moreover, research that Dr. Saito conducted with patients
estimated 80% of hikikomori are male and<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of those 80%.................are first born male. As explained
in detail in my last paper in a male dominated <o:p></o:p>value index country (Hofstede : ) this fact alone could be enough to label
hikikomori as Japanese <o:p></o:p>culture bound given the pressure for Japanese males to get
work and stay in that same work and the <o:p></o:p>devotion above all to the company versus family. Conversely,
Western society has the similar symptoms <o:p></o:p>of “social withdrawal”
standing at equal part male versus female and “agoraphobia” being statistically
<o:p></o:p><b>mainly female</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Quoting Foreman again (ibid):<o:p></o:p></div>
<i>Identified in 1998, it appears to be
culturally linked to changing labor market realities in Asia. Under the
traditional system, middle and upper-class youths follow a highly structured
path from adolescence to adulthood. They are expected to rigorously apply
themselves in high school and college, and then immediately take a professional
job. The job market has traditionally been secure, and the first employer out
of college is expected to be the company that the young adult will remain with
until retirement.<o:p></o:p></i><br />
<i>Increased globalization and changing
labor markets have made this ideal unattainable for many youth. Many
adolescents follow the expected path through college only to discover that they
are unable to find a job, or can only find one for which they are vastly
overqualified. For some young people, the realization that they did everything
right but cannot reap the benefits leads them to shut down. Hikikomori overlaps
with several Western mental health diagnoses including pervasive developmental
disorders, avoidant personality disorder, PTSD and other anxiety disorders.</i>.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Key Difference #3.<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the following diagram, it can be seen the main reasons
for “dropping out” of college in the US.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4961590116657809028" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="file:///C:/Users/Imogen/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.jpg" style="cursor: move;" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_2" width="590" /></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4961590116657809028" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4961590116657809028" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4961590116657809028" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4961590116657809028" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4961590116657809028" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4961590116657809028" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4961590116657809028" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4961590116657809028" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>The validity of this diagram is to serve as a reminder that
ONLY 13% count “social misfit” or “Poor social <o:p></o:p>fit” as a factor for opting out, where in all surveys of
hikikomori I have yet to read this has been the <o:p></o:p>PRIMARY cause and trigger for hikikomori ( ). Not necessarily with truancy – usually caused
by bullying <o:p></o:p>or a feeling of misfit - but also from failing to adapt to expectations
within societal norms ( ).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype
id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t"
path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_i1026" type="#_x0000_t75"
style='width:468pt;height:167.25pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Imogen\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img height="223" src="file:///C:/Users/Imogen/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.jpg" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1" width="624" /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Key Difference #4<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the following diagram we can see the extreme endurance
that families have in dealing with <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
hikikomori and the extreme length of time that sufferers will
retreat to their rooms for. Most commonly over 7 years and very often as long as 15 to 20 years.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I have presented this slide to clinical psychiatrists,
they have found time and again, this to be one <o:p></o:p>of the most alarming and single handedly most clearly differentiating
factors in manifestation of social <o:p></o:p>withdrawal.<o:p></o:p>The average length of time as a one off comparison in the
USA for hikikomori or its sister name social <o:p></o:p>withdrawal (not counting addiction or schizophrenic related
withdrawal but focusing on withdrawal <o:p></o:p>from societal pressure)
is considered to be approximately a few months to two years
( ).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:442.5pt;
height:331.5pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Imogen\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image002.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Key Difference #5<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will now take a closer look at the very detailed exact
symptoms that are presented in the related<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
non Japanese
disorders that involve social withdrawal and appear on the surface most closely
mirroring <o:p></o:p>the outward appearance of hikikomori.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These are:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> <b>
</b></span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Avoidant Personality Disorder<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span>Acute social Withdrawal<o:p></o:p></b><!--[endif]--></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span>Agorophobia<o:p></o:p></b><!--[endif]--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">According to the American
Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (DSM-IV), a person diagnosed with <b><u>avoidant personality disorder</u></b> needs to show at least four of
the following criteria:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Avoids occupational activities that involve significant
interpersonal contact, because of fears of criticism, disapproval, or
rejection.<o:p></o:p></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Is unwilling to get involved with people unless they
are certain of being liked.<o:p></o:p></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Shows restraint within intimate relationships because
of the fear of being shamed or ridiculed.<o:p></o:p></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Is preoccupied with being criticized or rejected in
social situations.<o:p></o:p></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Is inhibited in new interpersonal situations because of
feelings of inadequacy.<o:p></o:p></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Views self as socially inept, personally unappealing,
or inferior to others.<o:p></o:p></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Is unusually reluctant to take personal risks or to
engage in any new activities because they may prove embarrassing.<o:p></o:p></span></i></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hikikomori typically<b> does not involve 4</b> of these criteria.
Many hikikomori people are for example in fact highly intelligent and do not feel
they are inferior to others. In fact some have feelings of ‘higher
intelligence or non main-stream intelligence” (Zeilinger: )They may or may not have a fear of being
disliked, it is certainly not a critical factor in defining hikikomori.
Hikikomori are NOT unusually reluctant to engage in new activities because they
may prove embarrassing or avoid personal risk – since statistics of suicide are
very high among hikikomori sufferers. Finally, the core “hiding” feature of
hikikomori does not necessarily involve a complete breakdown of the willingness
to interact because of fears of shame or being criticized. I think these have
often been experienced previously but are now not central themes and so, in
this way “hikikomori” could be seen as an end game or aftermath of such
feelings; an attitude closer to apathy
than panic BUT not apathy and most certainly not panic.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><b>Acute Social Withdrawal</b>.</u><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is most commonly a secondary symptom in pscyciatric
terms.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It arises out of specific triggers which are most commonly:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span>Depression<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Bi-polar<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->AIDS or other serious illness diagnosis<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Seasonal Affective Disorder<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Dementia<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Schizophrenia or other schizoid affective
disorder<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Autism<br />
<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In all these cases symptoms are resolved when the primary
trigger is resolved or addressed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
None of these primary triggers moreover address the NON
COMMUNICATING (refusal or extreme <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
reluctance to open up and talk) aspect and deep central
theme in ALL cases of hikikomori.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In other words, being able to identify the primary cause
allows a treatment plan to be more easily <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
mapped than
hikikomori where so many unknowns and variables are <b>inexplicable because they remain <i>unexplained</i>. </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><b>Agorophobia</b>.<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is a definition of agoraphobia from Forsyth, Sondra.
"I Panic When I'm Alone." <i>Mademoiselle</i> April 1998: 119-24.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Agoraphobia is just one type of
phobia, or irrational fear. People with phobias feel dread or panic when they
face certain objects, situations, or activities. People with agoraphobia
frequently also experience panic attacks, but panic attacks, or panic disorder,
are not a requirement for a diagnosis of agoraphobia. The defining feature of
agoraphobia is anxiety about being in places from which escape might be
embarrasing or difficult, or in which help might be unavailable. The person
suffering from agoraphobia usually avoids the anxiety-provoking situation and
may become totally housebound.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Agoraphobia is the most common type
of phobia, and it is estimated to affect between 5-12% of Americans within
their lifetime. Agoraphobia is <b>twice as common in women as in men</b> and usually
strikes between the ages of 15-35.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is clear from this definition that agoraphobia, often
also called Acute social withdrawal, usually involves panic attacks as a core
symptom, but not always; and always involves anxiety attack or extreme anxiety
as a psychiatric disorder that hikikomori adolescents, children and adults do
not in the majority do not suffer from as a primary symptom ( ).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><b>Conclusion</b><o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
In this paper, I have looked at what I believe to be just 5
of the main differences in the symptom of Japanese hikikomori versus the definition
of hikikomori and or its synonyms in other countries. There is clearly much
more to research and much more to be discussed, including a far wider range of
research involving a wider selection of countries and cases. However, I hope
that this brief introduction to five of the areas I think need further
investigation will provide a platform for further research into my hypothesis
that hikikomori is without doubt, a Japanese culture reactive or culture bound
syndrome, not to be seen as simply withdrawal and retreat by an individual with
a mental health issue, but instead an expression of how the system of education
in Japan and expectations in society need to change before we can come closer
to reducing hikikomori numbers and ending the immense suffering for hikikomri
people and all those families who have been and continue to be prisoners to the
powerful destruction of life in the shadow of hikikomori.<o:p></o:p>Imo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961590116657809028.post-73003323639391741952014-04-15T06:12:00.001-07:002014-04-15T06:12:13.329-07:00<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Cultural
Differences</u></b><u> that shape culture bound theory which in turn may affect
hikikomori symptoms.</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>1-50<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A-Z</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">AISATSU</b>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is drilled into children from a very
young age to say good-morning, good-afternoon and good evening on absolutely
every single encounter with anybody in your life and also strangers that pass
through your living/working<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>area BUT not
out and about on hikes etc. If these words are not exchanged, a following
encounter with the person may be strained. Posters at schools everywhere and
banners in school playgrounds read “Don’t forget your daily greetings”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A teacher or two will man the gates of
schools, elementary through high school, every morning and every single child
entering the gate is expected to say in a clear polite voice, their morning
greeting. A tremendous amount of kudos and respect is given to ( and kept score
of)those students or members of society who never fail to forget to
appropriately greet with the accompanying slight head bow at all times, to all
members <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>their group</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
This is the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">OPPOSITE</b> from expectations in the UK, USA etc. where we may pass a
stranger out hiking and greet them<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> but</i>
where it is often considered <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>uneccessary,
too formal<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>just strange to say these words<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>within the family or one’s close circle of
friends.</div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->Imo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961590116657809028.post-17214564238343924062013-10-19T03:59:00.001-07:002013-10-19T03:59:21.301-07:00HARFU.<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJn6iunvm0k">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJn6iunvm0k</a><br />
What does it mean to be half. I consider myself "half". Yet the term is racist for sure and reminds me of all that can never be changed here until a whole new generation of harfus gain control in positions of power....hard for any whose names are not written in kanji and even harder for any who look most different. But until that day, when the government allows us resident harfus to vote; until the day when harfus are truly seen first for their ability and not their appearance...we are living in an isolated camp, a hollow between 2 mountains with one leg stretched wide to one mountain and the other leg stretched out to the other. Perched between 2 worlds and accepted totally by neither.Unable to move for fear of losing one or other or both worlds.Imo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961590116657809028.post-90888664951731413932013-07-01T05:11:00.002-07:002013-07-01T06:21:23.345-07:00Diagnosing autism using salience network analysis.If autism can be detected by brain mapping at a very young age (under 6 months) which seems highly likely given recent advances in salience networking (sensory nerve connectivity brain imaging data analysis) this is hugely exciting for parents and carers of autistic children because it offers earlier scientific answers to the years of concern, anguish and worries such as why their child is always playing alone, cannot tie their shoelaces by age four, or cannot structure their sentences as fluidly or quickly as children of a similar age. At the moment, traditional approach to autistic diagnosis involves intensive and emotionally charged interviewing of child and parents along with years of anguish and heartache as teachers and fellow parents may try to explain unusual behaviors with a variety of confusing and hotchpotch hypotheses.<br />
<br />
Hyperconnection between neural pathways is seen in brain imagery of autistic people, fact. However, a very highly connected brain can be associated with both autism and genius. Information overload resulting from hyperconnectivity can cause the intensity of vision, synesthesia (overlapping of sensory functions)and specific coping mechanisms like rocking and social withdrawal common in <span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[754037].[1]{comment590155331015769_1640315}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2]"><span id=".reactRoot[754037].[1]{comment590155331015769_1640315}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0]"><span id=".reactRoot[754037].[1]{comment590155331015769_1640315}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0].[3:0:0]">both. With further research and work in specific areas of overlap and connection it is very possible that we could actually discover areas of the brain that are predisposed to outstanding capabilities and I believe eventually map a path of promise for all autistic children to find an area in which they have a unique, if restricted potential for brilliance and genius.<a href="http://healthland.time.com/2013/06/28/brain-scans-could-become-ekgs-for-mental-d">http://healthland.time.com/2013/06/28/brain-scans-could-become-ekgs-for-mental-d</a></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[754037].[1]{comment590155331015769_1640315}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2]"><span id=".reactRoot[754037].[1]{comment590155331015769_1640315}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0]"><span id=".reactRoot[754037].[1]{comment590155331015769_1640315}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0].[3:0:0]"></span></span></span>Imo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961590116657809028.post-42633225276412768462013-05-08T20:01:00.000-07:002013-05-08T22:29:07.400-07:00Socio demographic orientation of ASW/ hikikomori notes.<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:標準の表;
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1044"/>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/>
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
<br />
Seeking to identify factors that implicate culture bound theory both
in the socio demographic orientation of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hikikomori</i>
and in the physical manifestation of `opting out` by `shutting in` and including
a brief comparison of those factors from a control culture with the related
social expectation withdrawal of<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> runaway</i>.
I`m using as a baseline for analysis, Japan`s position in 3 of the culture value indices
defined by Hofstede, (G.Hofstede: 1980) namely the dimensions of:<br />
<div style="margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>individualism; IDV, </div>
<div style="margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>power distance; PDI, </div>
<div style="margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>uncertainty avoidance; UAI, </div>
trying to analyse how, in conjunction with educational norms, peer
behavioral patterns and employment expectations within a society, cultural
values can determine how social withdrawal and `opting out` will present. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hikikomori</i> is not a social situation
that is disappearing in Japan,
even though it is no longer the hot topic of the previous decade. As interest
wanes and media inevitably moves its attention on to the next cult like
phenomenon among young people who behave differently, the growing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hikikomori</i> population of over one
million ( ) should not be forgotten. Educators and politicians are in a prime position to
facilitate change and question teaching styles that may play a critical role in
responsibility for such a huge, national, cultural specific, social epidemic that
is not vanishing like its members, but is instead rampant and growing.<br />
<div style="margin-left: 3.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 3.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Culture-bound</i></b> is a term that
indicates the native countries culture is trigger for a certain social behaviour
or trend. By naming a trend culture-bound, it is easier to trace cause and therefore
perhaps to find solutions or appropriate ways to respond or not. However, this
paper does not seek to offer solutions to the issue of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hikikomori</i> or to propose counsel although it does contain opinion.
It looks at possible contributing background societal factors and at a
juztapositional <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>social withdrawal
phenomenon classified often as `<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">runaway</i>`
in an attempt to identify specific enantiomers that lay claim to the theory
herein that<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> hikikomori</i> is both
Japanese specific and culture bound.</div>
<div style="margin-left: 3.0pt;">
In medical anthropology a culture bound or culture
reactive syndrome is a combination of
psychiatric and somatic symptoms that are recognizable only within a specific
society or culture. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Even though the
concept is controversial, the term culture-bound syndrome was included in the
fourth version of the Diagnostic and statistical manual of Mental Disorders, American
Psychiatric Association</i>”: 1994 (Sakamoto: 2005)</div>
<div style="margin-left: 3.0pt;">
Secher in Watts (2002)
explains “When you get large numbers of individuals behaving in similar ways,
it is generally a cultural expression of some kind”.</div>
<div style="margin-left: 3.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 3.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hikikomori</i></b> is now a well known term.
The translation alternatives (apathy syndrome, shut-ins, voluntary seclusion or
acute social withdrawal) never caught on for a reason; the Japanese word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hikikomori</i> is the term that settled and
is most widely used around the world for the phenomenon and this indicates
implicitly that it is considered to be either Japanese specific or at least
found mainly in Japan.
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 3.0pt;">
It is interesting to note the leading specialist
on hikikomori psychologist Dr.Tamaki Saito coined the buzzword originally as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">shakaiteki hikikomori</i> in 1998 (Saito:1998)
acknowledging the intrinsic social (<span lang="JA" style="font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">社会</span>)
or cultural roots.</div>
<div style="margin-left: 3.0pt;">
Originally considered an extension of truancy (<span lang="JA" style="font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">不燈侯</span>) it was first treated as a
medical ailment with copious quantities of drugs (Zielenziger:2006) but is now
widely accepted as a pattern of behaviour of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>young people who have jumped off the train
of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>expected<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>educational and social norms, as happens in
many countries but have confined themselves inside their rooms as an escape
from that pressure.</div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>The
IDV component.</u></i></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Individualism.</i></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
To isolate oneself is a natural escape strategy reaction for
a collectivist low IDV society member. In high collectivist cultures like Japan,
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">context =identity</b>. A person will
feel safe and comfortable belonging to a group. Indeed, without answers from a
stranger to establish context<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with questions
like; `What is your name? ` `How old are you? ` and `Where are you from?` it is
difficult to establish a baseline connection with another person. Even on
television interviewing random strangers in the street, Japanese television
will give a person`s age and job details, where in an individualistic culture this
would be considered rude, an invasion of privacy or in some cases a human
rights issue.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This can be seen in statistics of how trusting people in
both culture types are of complete strangers. In a collectivist culture a
stranger is not part of a group and so difficult to place or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">identify</i>. They are met with unease
because there is no context. This unease is incidentally often misinterpreted
as shyness by those from collectivist cultures who interpret how this unease
would be identified in their own self oriented culture. Ignoring outsiders or
non members is acceptable because the group must maintain its loyalty above all
else and strangers will be met with unease.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In an individualist society, a person relates to a stranger
as a `self`, valuing their individual and independent status. A whole group
however may conversely be met with distrust.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In an individualist culture like America,
Australia and the UK, a
person feels most comfortable when they are able to make an individual
expression of self because <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">self=
identity. </b>There will be hints and comments pertaining to the self which may
appear self centered but are culturally ingrained communicative habits in
individualistic societies where people choose what to share and are taught that
to be assertive with self-needs and opinions is a highly desirable quality. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Zielenziger (ibid) reports on an experiment with photography
where a group of Japanese students (low IDV culture) and a group of American
students (high IDV culture) were told to photograph a friend. The Japanese
students all photographed their friend in an environment of some kind with the
background taking more than</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
60% of the photograph frame. The American students all took
closer up shots of their friend, the person took up most of the `canvas` and
the background was blurred or inconsequential. This could denote the importance
of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">people in context</b> (typical in Japanese
culture) contrasting the importance of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">people
as self</b> (typical inAmerican culture).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ignoring outsiders or non members is acceptable in a
collectivist culture because the group must maintain its loyalty to each other
first and foremost like a mother cat guards her kittens. A complete stranger
represents a person that cannot immediately be placed in context or group. The
Daily Yomiuri (June 13<sup>th</sup> :2004) conducted a survey on trust in
strangers and 47% of Americans responded saying other people can be trusted
despite the far higher crime rate, where only 26% of Japanese responded that
they would trust a complete stranger. The implication for hikikomori here is
that once the person removes themselves from the group for an extended period
they will be shut out and ignored because they no longer belong. Likewise, if
an individual within the group behaves in a way contrary to group unwritten
rules but accepted behavioural patterns for that group, they will be ignored
and shut out to the point where they may voluntarily leave the group. This
passive aggressive style of bullying is more common in group-oriented cultures
and differs from the more violent and verbally abusive style bullying in
self-oriented cultures.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>A glimpse at historically rooted traditional collectivist
culture </u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In traditional village society in the Tokugawa period, the
government divided each village into 5 units of mutual surveillance to create
smaller groups within the village</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
in order to promote mutual dependency and loyalty (<span lang="JA" style="font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">⑤人国</span>). The community was divided
into these groups and if one person within the group disobeyed rules</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
or rebelled the whole group would be punished or chastised.
In this way, it was taught through the generations that responsibility was for
one`s own group (only), and that the individual has little power but as a group
things can be achieved well. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By relying on this style of group dependency an individual`s
ability to think critically<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">without</b></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>consulting others, and the opportunities and incentive to create
change (which happens when one person thinks or does differently; others see,
discuss, adopt and accomodate) and the practice of doing so have diminished. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Closed networks known as shigarami within society bind the
groups strongly together so that those at the top, treated with utmost respect
born from recognition of the huge responsibility they have over the group`s
well being, must forfeit as much as their lives if one member of their group
steps out of line and shames the network. This close knit structure can be
compared with Amish societies `Ordnung` where rules down to exactly what
members can wear, and other some religious cult groups in other countries too,
but in Japan (and other highly collectivist group cultures too) this sense of
responsibility to the group is so intense that any party not within the network
or connected to a group cannot possibly get anywhere in life; where in contrast
the option to leave the cult or group is a viable one and often first choice
escape route in more individual-oriented countries with higher IDV scores.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While there is nothing new in this theory, the role that
this imbedded cultural way is intrinsically implicated in the main isolation
feature of social withdrawal/hikikomori is clear. Only by completely withdrawing
from <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all</i></b>
groups can the individual salvage their desire to be different or to behave
differently from <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">any</i></b> group. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By withdrawing from the group they are in turn ignored and
outcast and can never again enter a new group in fear of the social stigma trailing
and attached to having left one. The final irony however is that the world
itself then clumps these individuals into a group and gives them the name `<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hikikomori</i>`.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>PDI
component (Power Distance Indice).</u></i></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dependence
V Independence.</i></b><br />
The fact that hikikomori choose to retreat to their own rooms is a curious one
from a Western high power distance country perspective. A young person`s room
is where we are punished and forced to remain when we have done wrong. It is a
punishment `to be grounded`. Yet, if we look at this choice with
Hofstede`s<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>cultural dimension of power
indice in mind regarding a high PD culture with no similar traditional
confining punishment in childhood, it is easily comprehensible.<br />
PDI rating is a country`s score for how it values dependency. This is
connected closely to the other two components of collectivist and uncertainty
avoidance but the focus is on hierarchy of a society and how extensive equality
is in terms of power. In a low power distance country people will respect
independence and demand it. In a high power distance culture (like Japan)
people at the top will have great power and positions and rank will be
controlled carefully with leaders consistently treated with great respect and
obedience. In low power distance cultures there will be more rebellion for
equality and change from those who feel powerless and less resistance to that rebellion
from those who have the power.<br />
In both cultures, parents teach differing values to their children. In Japan,
traditionally although times are changing, parents have taught children to obey
the teacher and all rules. An important mantra is not to cause problems for
other people and to fall in line to save face for the family. In America and
lower PD cultures, children are taught to question the teacher, to question
everything and to answer back with an opinion when they disagree, to be a
`hero` by protecting a stranger and to `think outside the box`. These are basic
differences in the way parents bring up their children and as such, reflect how
a society shapes its power distance.<br />
So, it is not surprising that opting out for Japanese young people should be
to stay at home. Here, their own room is a private sanctuary away from the peer
group and world outside that imposes restrictions on them. Here, they can be
semi safe from criticism from superiors` or society`s judgement, in a womb like
existence with Mother nearby. The core value of power distance is rejected but
the symbiotic relationship with Mother is very strong and offers a tiny thread
of that instinctive culture born expectancy that is hard to shake- that of
dependency.<br />
In low power distant countries, we have the opposite culture reactive
phenomenon in young people; that of `runaway`. It is directly related to power
distance because it is chooses to run from all dependents and strives for
complete independence even if that means homelessness. As James Lehman, a
Canadian behavioural therapist for teens and young adults writes; “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kids run away from problems they cannot
handle. It`s in our culture. Adolescents often see running away as a way to
achieve a sense of power and independence.</i>” (Lehman: 2009).<br />
Both social phenomena are rooted in rebellion or reaction against authority,
but <i>hikikomori</i> is unique because it chooses to place the family as a
safer haven than the peer group. This in turn, suggests that bullying and
school pressure play a <b>larger</b> part in retreat than in the counterpart
phenomena of <i>runaway</i>, where perhaps young people are fleeing the
pressure from family pressure.<br />
Finally, let us take a look at the uncertainty avoidance indice and how it
relates to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hikikomori</i>.<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>UAI
component</u></i></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rituals
of performance.</i></b><br />
Japan`s high value of employment stability and lifetime employment is a
mental programming statistic, not necessarily found within individuals but a
composite factor within the construct described and researched by Hofstede
(Hofstede, 1983: 118-119) under the name of `<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Uncertainty Avoidance</b>`.<br />
The longitudinal (25 years) research that supports culture bound hypothesis
in connection with employment avoidance and social withdrawal is documented in
approx. 118 articles published in the `Journal of International Business
Studies`between 1983 to 2008 (Au,K.Y, 1999;799-812).<br />
UAI is a cultural dimension of toleration concerning uncertainty about the
future. At the high end of the scale are cultures in which people feel comfortable
with rituals and routines that reduce uncertainty in daily life and in the
workplace. Low end UAI cultures are those in which people are happier with
fewer routines and rituals and are open to much wider individual variation. In
countries where UAI is high, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Japan</b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ranks 92<sup>nd</sup> out of 100</b>
countries surveyed (Hofstede, 1980) people will demonstrate extreme loyalty to
the company or their employer and feel extreme social obligation to participate
in group activity.<br />
A high UAI score relates to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hikikomori</i>
because 100% of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hikikomori</i> young
adults have opted out of both <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">work and
group</i> social activity. They are therefore reacting in a culturally adverse
mode, mitigating the relevance of the claim `culture bound`.<br />
The pressure on young people within the typical <i>hikikomori</i> age range
of 14 to 30 -to find work <b><i>and to stay in that work</i></b> - or to find a
club activity<b><i> and stay in that activity</i></b> and to co-operate
correctly within a rigid peer group hierarchical system (<span lang="JA" style="font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">侯輩・先輩</span>) within Japanese society are factors that go
towards creating pressure to isolate. As unemployment rates rise and the social
stigma attached to any kind of so named <b><i>drop out</i></b> continues to
prevail, this has created in natural turn a world of so called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">internet cafe hermits</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">parasites,</i> <i>neats</i> and <i>hikikomori</i>..<br />
While both social phenomena are rooted in rebellion or reaction against
authority, <i>hikikomori</i> is unique because it chooses to place the family
as a safer haven than the peer group. This in turn, suggests that bullying and
school or work pressure play a <b>larger</b> part in retreat than in the
counterpart phenomena of <i>runaway</i>, where perhaps young people are fleeing
the pressure from family pressure. Parents in Western cultures usually
encourage their children to leave home by 18 where in Japan <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“parents are happy to allow their children to remain at home and live
from their parents` income until their thirties”</i> (Suwa et al. 2003).<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In individualistic
cultures the trend for opting out sees `<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">runaways</i>`
leaving the home and seeking an alternative place to be. In these notes I have
hypothesized in a comparative analysis why Japanese <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hikikomori</i> choose to confine themselves in their rooms within the
context of 3 cultural indices as defined by the world famous cultural expert
Geert Hofstede. I have tried to confirm my theory that the exact manner `opting
out` of society manifests itself in Japan is clearly culture reactive.
It is beyond the scope of this paper to develop further the enormous
implications that this theory has on socio-economics, education and politics where change could be
sought, but it is the foundation for further research into such considerations.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Imo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961590116657809028.post-72301699563202868972013-04-03T19:06:00.004-07:002013-04-05T00:00:19.424-07:00Introduction to a comparative analysis between culture bound reaction to trauma; hikikomori V runaway.<br />
<b>Is <i>hikikomori</i> a culture bound syndrome? </b>How does it compare with the culture reactive <i>runaway</i> syndrome more common in Europe and America? How can we conclude a social phenomena is in fact culture bound or not? These are a few of the questions I have been trying to answer for koeki`s ongoing research into how community service enables living science.<br />
<br />
The proportion of suicides among young people in Japan is extremely high in comparison with other countries. Cabinet office figures set suicide as the #1 cause of death for every 5 year age group among people 15- 39. For those aged 15-34 Japan is the only G7 country where this is a fact.<br />
<br />
HALF of all the deaths among people in their twenties in Japan are suicides. In contrast Americas highest suicide levels are in the older range group, highest for men over 60.<br />
<br />
Suicide is closely connected to <i>hikikomori </i>for many reasons that cannot be applied to runaway.<br />
The pressure on young people within the typical <i>hikikomori</i> age range of 14 to 30 -to find work <b><i>and to stay in that work</i></b> - or to find a club activity<b><i> and stay in that activity</i></b> and to co-operate correctly within a rigid peer group hierarchical system (kouhai/senpai) within Japanese society are factors that go towards creating pressure to isolate. As unemployment rates rise and the social stigma attached to any kind of so named <i><b>drop out</b></i> continues to prevail, this has created in natural turn a world of internet cafe hermits, <i>neats</i> and <i>hikikomori</i>..<br />
<br />
Isolation -the key feature of <i>hikikomori</i>- is known to be a primary lead up to suicide (American Psychological Association: David Clark: 1998), where conversely <i>runaway</i> children and young adults seek company in peer groups and suicide statistics are much lower.<br />
<br />
While both social phenomena are rooted in rebellion or reaction against authority, <i>hikikomori</i> is unique because it chooses to place the family as a safer haven than the peer group. This in turn, suggests that bullying and school pressure play a <b>larger</b> part in retreat than in the counterpart phenomena of <i>runaway</i>, where perhaps young people are fleeing the pressure from family pressure.<br />
<br />
If we look at some of the parental values that parents traditionally instill in childrearing we can see where the shift to inside retreat may start. In Japan, such mantras as `don`t cause trouble for others` (めいわっくしないで)and respect your parents above all...serve as baselines for all Japanese children as they grow up compared to frequent mantras inbred in American, British and other Western country parental philosophy of ;`Be independent, speak your mind, follow your own path`, values which could be said to encourage a runaway response to pressures and problems.<br />
<br />
This is of course an oversimplification, but it is a valid core difference that cannot be overlooked in the question we are answering; which is- can <i>hikikomori </i>be called culture bound or culture reactive?Imo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961590116657809028.post-6198662502666578492013-01-21T20:23:00.003-08:002013-01-23T19:36:20.359-08:00Applied environmental science: community discussion.<br />
<i>Japan's government today approved a plan to spend $116 billion to
jump-start the economy and set the stage for long-term growth. Sources
in the Japanese
press are hinting that research on renewable energy and on stem
cells could land a significant chunk of the new cash. </i><br />
<i> Science Insider. Dennis Normille. 11 Jan. 2013</i><br />
<br />
This is good news. There is so much new technology developing in research departments in Universities all over Japan right now and researchers are hoping to get the funding to put theory into practice, because without financial backing no progress can be made.<br />
<br />
Two questions keep coming up here from community members mailing and phoning our research dept. <br />
1.What is `Community Service and Science`?<br />
2.What is there to discuss about it?<br />
<br />
These questions are from community members who oppose the University`s mission of replacing conventional energy sources almost completely this half century with renewable energy (wind turbine and solar mainly) here in Sakata. which is already home to the largest solar panel/wind turbine combination campus energy supply system in Japan.<br />
<br />
Answer to Q 1. It is the crucial connection point - the `and` between scientific theory and practical application.There is no progress in environmental development without co-operation of communities. There is no progress in community development without initiation and leadership. Initiation or change, follows understanding which in turn follows open minded discussion. No change, no evolution of mankind ever took place without it and no successful change can take place unless it is conducted with great delicacy.<br />
<br />
Answer to Q 2. Discussion, at best leads to learning without as much reading. Discussion can of course also be a waste of time.. Discussion is oral thinking ground however always. It is not a place to voice opinions that are fixed, it is a time to listen to all the data from all relevant perspectives and mould opinions like putty or clay in the hands of a potter, so that the newly formed opinion is in touch with the latest theoretical data and fact. Opinions must be fluid in order for change to begin and this is the very first obstacle faced when we live in a society where people tend to have fixed formulated opinions and are relying on environmental science data that is already old as of one month ago..And community members must be involved and contribute.<br />
<br />
First, a discussion has an agenda. It must have, in order to have direction. Just like energy sources. Starting with an explanation, remembering that the average human brain is capable of remembering only 3 main points in a speech of a 20 minute duration without interval, this initial speech must be finely tuned and honed to present only the key crucial facts necessary for continuing the discussion`s agenda.<br />
<br />
A possible introductory 20 minute speech might include a quick description of the 3 main <br />
types of wind power; mechanical power,
electrical power, and sail power. Each one of them generates power by
using something called an airfoil. Airfoils are surfaces that create an aerodynamic force – causing a boat to move or rotor blades to turn.Visual aids are an easy way to explain this.<br />
<br />
A sail is a simple example of wind energy. It uses an airfoil; wind blows and
creates a curved area of high pressure, pushing the boat in a certain
direction which we can choose by adjusting the sail. A windmill is made up of several airfoils in the shape of a fan; the
wind drives them around in a circle, which rotates the base shaft.Then there is an electrically powered windmill that follows the same concept, but instead turns a generator. Inside the
generator, a coil is moved in and out of a magnetic field by the
rotation, which is what generates a natural electric current.<br />
<br />
Using wind rotation has the long term expedient of becoming almost free after the initial expense of installation, and does not contaminate or harm nature; that same nature world which we are trying to save and preserve to pass on to future generations. This respect is at the heart of the concept of renewable energy. In answer to the opposition of `unsightly` `noisy` and `bad for hearing` (3 commonly held opposition stances) a power point presentation can compare pictures of comparison energy sources, nuclear power plants and electricity factories:<a href="https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=electricity+factories&hl=ja&client=firefox-a&hs=40W&tbo=u&rls=org.mozilla:ja:official&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Jhj-UOqhOeyOmQW_4IHgCg&ved=0CFEQsAQ&biw=1062&bih=586">electricity factory pictures</a><br />
<br />
Then there are the stats and data. Best presented in graphs and charts for some audiences but better presented in terms of comparison to daily use of household appliances for most community people.<br />
<br />
While discussion path develops along route it has to be led carefully. Some members will want to talk more and others will be silent but have voices that need to be heard. Discussion well led has the potential in this way of recreating community ideals as a team and also has the potential to create hatred and anger if the discussion is not led very cautiously. The most important sustaining line of discussion is to hold onto the validity of long term goals being the ultimate aim over short term gains and this explanation is not one that can be forced but something that dawns autonomously, to some.<br />
<br />
<br />Imo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961590116657809028.post-62555507899714414212012-11-18T21:35:00.001-08:002012-11-18T21:35:04.009-08:00Winds of long-term hope.<span>'A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.' And to know everything
is impossible. How to find the truth, the bare objective facts gets
harder every second in almost every area as new stats or discoveries are
published. <br /><br />Especially surrounding the secretive world of the
Fukushima clean up and Japan's path toward alternative renewable energy
sources. There is a massive amount of confusing data and political
discrepancy about what is being planned longterm for energy
infrastructure. There is no smart-grid reference, no clearly defined
govt endorsed policy or map forward and we are left with all the big
name industrial companies proposing agendas with diff priorities and
timelines. It is so confusing.<br /><br />Recently I learned that one of the
leaders in our town for the promotion of wind energy was receiving
threatening phone calls from citizens directly opposed to the expansion
of the wind turbine program. It was just one of many incidents that have
shown that the seeming solidarity of the anti nuke force has an equally
solid and active opposition party. <br /><br />One of the main objections
to the expansion of WWS energy sources from laypeople is the initial
cost and the necessary increase in electric bills needed short term in
order to pay for the shift to an alternative energy network. Materials
needed like neodymium for turbine gearboxes and indium for solar cells;
lithium for ion batteries and fuel cell platinum. These are all metals
or compounds that given funding can eventually be replaced with man made
alternatives but as with almost every scientific innovation ever begun
involve initial financial investment.<br /><br />Surely the world and Japan
needs to think long term not short term. Of course short term management
and considerations are important too- dealing with the food labeling
and testing of radioactivity for example, but short term projects are
band aids not cures or promises that the same will not happen again.<br /><br />Since
3.11 seismic activity along fault-lines under Japan, and in fact the
whole world has increased dramatically. It is entirely possible that
another major quake could hit Japan and another nuclear meltdown happen.
<br /><br />The cost of cleaning up Fukushima as well as the appalling
health risks of any nuclear disaster has to be included in the package
of 'cheaper' energy.<br /><br />If the main public opposition to wind and
solar power in Japan continues to be the initial expense we need to find
a way to explain in simple terms to people the disparity of logic
within the concepts of short term and long term gains.<br /><br />If we
continue to rely on nuclear energy in a land rocked by quakes and tidal
waves (all nuclear plants in Japan are coastal) we will need - middle
term- new plants, repair and huge safety reforms as well as long term
the hidden costs of pollution, contamination of soil water and food
supply, climate interference and more. Are the short term economic
benefits really worth all this long term ecological and therefore
ultimately economical sabotage? And if not, do we really care about our
future as a human race?<br /><br />The shift to dependency on wind and solar
power is absolutely do-able. The initial expense and inconvenience is a
small and reasonable price to pay. We should be embracing the idea with
excitement and hope , not fear and suspicion. Japan lies under one of
the highest wind density zones in the world. Wind can be harnessed at
both ends of the inland sea by tidal flow turbines, generating
electricity in both directions. Wind power produces zero greenhouse
gases and pollutants; in terms of environmental impact, long term and
middle term cost efficiency it is the top energy source available to us
in Japan.<br /><br />It is a crying shame that a commitment to change is so
difficult to orchestrate and co- ordinate; and that we cannot widen our
vision from macro to panorama.</span>Imo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961590116657809028.post-42543841475212369242012-10-23T01:07:00.003-07:002012-10-23T01:35:27.235-07:00Wind powerThere are currently 1,870 wind turbines in Japan. Almost all are coastal (shore based) and few as yet are offshore. Offshore, meaning actually rooted in the ocean bed, would offer a huge new area for future wind power development and be preferable for many coastal residents who have complained about shore based turbines. They would also be able to tap more wind power, given that the best
source of wind power has actually been found to be not on land at
all. Energy returns from offshore
wind turbines can actually double the total energy generation from inland turbines.<br />
<br />
Away from natural land masses that act as wind barriers, such as mountains and man made constructions the ocean offers an open field that experiences<i> constant</i> wind which is the best wind supply for sustained blade turn, and therefore sustainable wind power.The energy created can be easily harnessed for inland use.<br />
.<br />
There would be many more turbines produced in Japan, generating much more power if there was not so much opposition from various parties for various reasons.. Some of these anti-turbine reasons include; noise pollution, sonic wave health and hearing effects, initial expense and aesthetics. These are reasons given against, by local coastal residents and government alike. When compared to the alternative (nuclear power plants) these reasons not only seem weak but are also surmountable with offshore alternatives.. <br />
<br />
Each average sized wind turbine is capable of producing between 1.000 to 2.000 kilowatts of electricity for a total of some 2.5 million kilowatts. Therefore, <b>just one wind turbine has the capacity to produce more power than 2 or 3 small nuclear power plants</b>. If this was not enough justification for the expense, it has to be noted that the Japan sea coast has the exact meteorology to favor this kind of energy resource. Average wind velocity is higher than that found and harnessed at <span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Article">Walney Wind Farm, in the United Kingdom which is the biggest offshore wind farm in the world. </span><br />
<br />
On October 22nd, NEDO presented one of the largest turbines so far in Japan. It is situated off the Chiba coast and it features 46 meter long blades and stands 40 meters above sea level and is embedded in the ocean floor 3 kilometers deep. Perhaps this is the beginning of something to hope for just as recent news finds Japan ill disposed toward joining the Unted Nations` total outlaw of nuclear weapons.Imo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961590116657809028.post-4127031918139022332012-08-09T00:44:00.002-07:002012-08-13T18:18:10.516-07:00hikikomori : note #3.<br />
My dear friend Eiko has a best friend in Tokyo who she talks of. This friend has a son she told me who is 21 now and she has only seen him a few times in 4 years. She noticed he had a shoulder length beard last time she caught sight of him. He lives in her house however. In fact, he lives in the kitchen, locked himself in. They had to build another kitchen. Why did she not knock the door down and demand he came out? Because these kids are so fragile she said, they live in fear of him committing suicide. She doesnt want to lose him, she loves him. Maybe, she is scared of him too. She leaves food outside his door on a tray. He never leaves his room except to take the tray. This kind of acceptance and waiting may be impossible for Mothers brought up in other cultural societies to understand. It is a very complex integrated jenga block system of emotions, walls and communication breakdowns that are involved in all family and social dynamics leading here and something I cannot explain or anyone explain simply or quickly..<br />
<br />
There are as many non-Japanese journalists, psychologists, spectators and travelers, as Japanese who are researching the domestic problem we have with the rising number of the peculiar-to-Japan phenomena of <i><b>hikikomori .</b></i>. <br />
<br />
The social problem is becoming a political agenda with
writers blaming everything from over-mothering parental style to Japan`s
economic recovery after the war. Some p.docs in the US are even wanting
to have it officially named as an official psychotic disorder. <b><i>Hikikomori</i> </b>
is however not something to be used as a weapon for our own agenda and I would like to question if we are making a big mistake giving it disease status . Yes, it
is a very serious and painful problem here that touches all who are even
remotely involved with it and discussion of it by people who have no
direct experience of it and wish to use it as proof for any number of
theories does not help<b> because</b> exactly like the shutting away isolation
main feature of <b><i>hikikomori</i> i</b>tself, it lumps all the shut- ins into one category which is exactly what they are all running from.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><i>Hikikomori</i> </b>is not simply playing truant. It is not just shutting the door of their room as many teenagers the world over do with a sign saying Keep Out...it is not only about teenagers wanting to be alone. It is a scream from the heart of a child who is so sensitive, he or she is unable to shelter from the stress of what is expected of him/her and so he or she hides and waits. More often than not, for years and years. <b>It is peculiar to Japan for </b>many reasons, too many to list, the most commonly mentioned being the associated stress features of shame/failure/face and a one way- one rule structure to society that is particular in this culture BUT this too I believe is not what we should be focusing on because we cannot change the culture overnight and we cannot change the cultural roots and values of a person overnight. We must instead, provide these people with coping strategies and recovery strategies and most importantly <u>ways out</u>. Practical help for real people who we respect for their own ways of thinking, and not sympathy and blame shuffle for diseased people who we give help to with drugs.<br />
<br />
In discussing the problem as one big bucket social issue that must be dealt with by education and governmental ministries alike, are we not missing the whole point? That these children and young adults are crying out for <b><i>individual</i> </b>attention, for their <b><i>own</i></b> voice to be heard, for having opinions or thoughts that are not the norm or they fear may be ridiculed, for being... bless them...a little different.<br />
<br />
In 2011, over 200,000 elementary and junior high school students (小中学生, ) were <b><i>futoukou</i></b> (不登校, absent from school) almost all due to <b><i>ijime</i>,</b> bullying problems, according to stats
reported in the Asahi Shimbun. <i>F<b>utouko</b></i><b>u</b> is often a precursor for <b><i>hikikomori</i></b>. Not always but it is definitely the first sign we have a child who is having difficulties adapting to expectations and now might be the time to encourage latent talents that are not being noticed. To allow for students to drop subjects they hate, to allow for students to have <b>more options. </b>As of now, for example curriculum requirements focus on Japanese, English, Maths and Social studies only as the 4 main classes students must excel in equally to enter a top university to study....say....art.. Changing this to allow for equal status to be given to an optional class is a simple curriculum innovation we could take if <b><i>M</i><i>onkashou</i></b> <a href="http://www.mext.go.jp/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="文部科学省" height="35" src="http://www.mext.go.jp/common/images/logo.gif" width="200" /></a>would let us. It just might help to prevent the pile up in later years of <b><i>hikikomori.</i></b><br />
<br />
<br />
As Mother of a Japanese son who has now recovered from <b><i>hikikomori</i></b>, this subject is dear to my heart and I welcome any personal stories to add to my ongoing research.<br />
<br />Imo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961590116657809028.post-20192241470876016152012-05-07T20:28:00.000-07:002012-05-08T17:12:10.058-07:00Still no clear decontamination path mapped out.On May 4th there was a conference in New York given by a group of research Professors (including Hiroaki Koide -nuclear specialist and Prof. at Kyoto Nuclear Research Reactor Institute and medical professionals on the ongoing nuclear crisis in Japan) for the benefit of the global community,mainly Americans and with the purpose of bringing the latest data by word of mouth directly to America where there is understandable concern about the ocean carrying nuclear waste to the west coast shores.<br />
<br />
Although this was a valuable lecture, it was frustrating that many things were not mentioned, challenged or discussed. The new data is alarming, but we knew and feared the worst anyway. From the perspective of someone who must remain here in North Japan, and all of us who have families, roots here and lack financial means to escape I would have liked to have heard more about what suggestions are being made for decontaminating hot spots and addressing fishery and ground water problems. <br />
<br />
Now is the time when great minds should turn the focus from analyzing exact data and put their wisdom into innovations to set global standards for dealing with this kind of unimaginable scenario. This is all new territory and we need global help and we need it now. While Chernobyl can teach us much, Fukushima has become the world`s largest nuclear meltdown and as such, Japan has to act as world leader setting out new protocol in clean up and decontamination strategies.<br />
<br />
These strategies have to come out of University Research Centers and be presented to the government with more pressure because the govt has proved it will not initiate research funds in any other way.. Yes, the govt has lied to us and the whole country is angered by the way that Fukushima has been dealt with from day one, but in a govt led country with such extremely stringent law enforcement there is no other way but to get acceptance through them and the go ahead for all decontamination/nuclear core location efforts via global pressure. <br />
<br />
There has to be some way (robots, by air etc) to get closer to plant 4 for longer periods to speed up it`s cold shutdown. There has to be a place thought up for hotspot debris to go. There has to be a decontamination method or chemical sanitation process that carries least risk. It was these kind of repair issues I wanted to see discussed and am so disappointed to find are still not making news.This is where research is needed now. The conflicting data and arguments over precise becquerel figures is no longer a priority.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile people living here, continue to fight depression by reading about and supporting those individuals who are doing their best to help others who have it worse than themselves. NPO charities and groups who are making things better in small ways for some people. And yet there is something intrinsically heart breaking about the limits of all this love and care that is a small band aid on a gaping wound. We are all grimly aware (despite carrying on our lives as close to normal as we can for sanity`s sake) that we are floating in a time capsule, a grisly experiment that will show results in decades to come and which is the first of its kind worldwide. We have to hope that the fascination with stats, numbers and graphs finally subdues, and that nuclear scientists will find practical, viable solutions to the plethora of problems that need solutions and that these will be adopted by the govt, under global pressure asap.<br />
<br />Imo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961590116657809028.post-61000269389851152322012-03-18T19:02:00.001-07:002012-03-18T19:25:19.298-07:00Packing Up. Moving On.Sendai is the longest I have ever lived in the same place. It is my home, where I gave birth to my kids, and journeyed with them through kindergarten to high school; where I too grew up in mind and spirit and made so many dear friends. It isn't just the emotion of leaving a city you love it is the emotion of leaving the security of a place that is all you can remember as being what life is and means.<br />
<br />
I am surrounded by boxes. Small piles of memories packed into boxes to move to Sakata. Actually I feel again the need to discard possessions and live barely. When i left England decades ago, I left all my material possessions behind, a complete re-birth, so liberating. I'd like to do the same now but the books..I will need...and the practical, essential necessities to keep oneself clean and healthy I cannot afford to re-purchase.<br />
<br />
I want to still support Sendai. I plan to continue the 'yakuin' volunteer work for Kokoroya and Dr Odaira's suicide prevention and support work. Not that I did as much as I would have liked time to have allowed, but it is a soul satisfying part of my life I wish to continue. There is also plenty I am in a position to do, in terms of encouraging students to continue supporting restoration efforts, despite living a distance away.<br />
<br />
It's a 3 and a half hour drive to west-coast/Japan sea coast Sakata. It's an old port city, steeped in tradition like the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hikikomori">Sankyo Storehouse</a> and it is also home to the famous photographer<a href="http://int.kateigaho.com/win05/taniguchi-museum.html"> Ken Domon</a>.and his museum.<br />
Population is only 111.477 with extremely low density compared to Sendai where density is high and population now well over a million. It is the city where O<a href="http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/departures/">kuribito/Departures</a> and Silk were filmed.<br />
<br />
I found a little cottage like home just a 10 minute or so walk from the beach. So pretty.It's also 10 minute walk to the University where I start work from April 2nd. My research will be in how we can adapt educational curriculums to be more appropriate for better global interaction/communication and at the same time develop a more eco- friendly style of living in the community. And of course I will continue with my research passion for the serious and ever-growing social problem of<b> <span style="color: red;">hikikomori</span></b><a href="http://hikikomori./">.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hikikomori</a><br />
<br />
Sakata is home to the biggest solar power and wind power installation in the whole of Japan. This is exciting.<br />
I want to learn so much more.Imo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961590116657809028.post-7300819714039113552011-12-07T02:46:00.000-08:002011-12-09T02:16:33.162-08:00Lest we forget.December 7th 2011.<br />
Almost 9 months since the magnitude 9 earthquake and tsunami.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ej-51xuuNCl5x0lm8K3B_EDs_c81yZGRpddKhqyI8gwC1r6z8r82nVuKUROiekvar9ST5J0zibX-yEKCermpZNbK8U23_BUbftPaRz1BZO28muJWf2akwtbA7gTQ1fDSDtYyyIFmqSBl/s1600/Sendairect+tsunami+098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ej-51xuuNCl5x0lm8K3B_EDs_c81yZGRpddKhqyI8gwC1r6z8r82nVuKUROiekvar9ST5J0zibX-yEKCermpZNbK8U23_BUbftPaRz1BZO28muJWf2akwtbA7gTQ1fDSDtYyyIFmqSBl/s320/Sendairect+tsunami+098.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
9 months since the world shook us so we could not stand; since walls and roofs crumbled and crashed around us and roads cracked open. 9 months since just several miles away, the sea came inland to swallow up whole villages, an airport, cars, homes families, animals, pets, insects, trees.....Life.<br />
<br />
Helicopters vibrating above in the sky; fires lighting up the horizon as gas leaks burned; no water, no food, no electricity, no gas for weeks... and then news that a nuclear plant not far away had exploded, and the wind and snow was carrying radiation and fall out farther than we could have imagined. The stories of death and horror, of rescue and miracle kept flooding in, every day without fail something new and more incredulous. And every day we lived with our hearts pounding as the news and the information from the govt and TEPCO continued to prove false and misleading and untrustworthy.<br />
<br />
How long does it take to wipe out those images from our minds? How long does it take to say we are healed. To forget. It depends on how many tragedies were personalized I am sure and perhaps on our personal beliefs and faith. Yet, for all of us, for every one of us here, there will be images burned on the backcloth of our minds for ever.<br />
<br />
Waiting in heavy snow minus 6 degrees for 3 plus hours for our ration of 10 dry grocery items.. anxious to join the line before supplies ran out, I left with no coat..a woman tied her scarf around my neck.I cried ice tears, it would have been totally unbearable on any other occasion -or alone. Yet during those weeks we all wore suits of steel armor over our hearts and bodies and we became prisoners of war in our own homes, allies and comrades where all the comforts had been taken and we were forced to live almost like Neanderthal people once did. A small exchange with a neighbor ~several matches for a few pocket tissues ~ changing as rations increased to larger and more useful shares....those were the highlights of a day; that was how our existence was those first few weeks and months. And in the evenings, we huddled around a candle..our only light source and only heat source. From somewhere came the strength to survive, the human will to survive and also the humble gratitude that we had survived, made most of us us able to face the unbearable, unpredictable and unfathomable. <br />
<br />
And now, slowly the reconstruction of roads and bridges and shops and windows and hearts has begun and is going from strength to strength. And Christmas is coming and there are trees lit up all over town just like last year before the quake, and babies are being born every day who never knew anything of the magnitude 9 quake and the monster tsunami that came inland an unprecedented ten kilometers and reached 40.5 meters/<b>133 feet </b>high in Miyako.<br />
<br />
And these babies born post quake, will perhaps look at the new towns along the coast when they become adult and maybe they will have their own families and they will say "Here is a place that looks good to settle" and they will live once more in areas that are so close to the dreadful horror of the devastation that they never knew .<br />
<br />
I can't help feeling the truth in the cliche that life does indeed go on. In one direction or another. With us or without us.Imo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961590116657809028.post-24505588235865434832011-10-05T04:51:00.000-07:002011-10-05T05:21:35.807-07:00Business and chaos. Money in toilets.<div class="mbl notesBlogText clearfix"><div>Six months on from 3/11, clear data is now emerging that is being accepted by all parties as true. Detailed geological charts of cesium and plutonium hotspots are now available to everyone. Even the daily newspapers are carrying this information, alongside the air radiation levels which do continue to go down slowly everywhere.<br />
<br />
Intensive aerial monitoring for fall-out/soil and air contamination was carried out in Tohoku and Kanto areas between Sept 8th and 12th. I don't know why this took such a long time to get going but this is progress and much more reliable information now paves the way for the next step which will be removal of the top 5-10cm of radioactive soil (the depth to which particles cling) and then the humungous task of disposing of this waste will follow that.<br />
<br />
Right now, the govt is still in hot debate about where the waste will be stored and how. There are two kinds of waste, the non radioactive kind (mostly wooden debris and washed up belongings etc) that can be burned..estimated at over 500.000 tons and the contaminated soil and sand that is estimated at 2.879 million cubic meters (an amount that can fill the Tokyo Dome/stadium 23 times). This is, needless to say a Herculean task. There are interesting BIOMASS plans to convert the non radioactive debris into fuel or resources. This sounds hopeful.<br />
<br />
Proposals by the environmental ministry are to store some of the waste that cannot be burned (i.e radioactive) in 8 prefectures. Those affected by the disaster. Although i have no idea for an alternative this seems at first sight to be adding insult to injury, although promises are that it will be stored in a totally toxic-leaking-proof way.<br />
<br />
Now that figures and data are being made public the govt has lifted police enforced regulations about people returning to their homes in areas where radiation (air) has decreased to so called safe levels. Some towns where people were evacuated have now been given the all clear for a kind of "return to live at your own risk" but most people are still in fear of doing so and I think are just returning to collect items and possessions. Areas within the 20-30km range of the plant have been closed off for ever. With the definite go-ahead for some contaminated soil burial to take place within this vicinity, it does not seem wise for people to return to the area ever but alternative relocation costs are just not being provided either fast enough or in a needs appropriate way yet.<br />
<br />
While the bad news and grim hardship of shelter life continues for thousands of homeless people, in the midst of the chaos weird business opportunities are arising. The construction business of course as #1. Building new homes and building hotels to house the stream of volunteers, NPO and relief workers that will be in the disaster region cleaning up for some years. Radiation testing businesses have started up. Devices like 'tsunami safe" floating water tight escape pods that fit one person have been designed and are on sale for 288.000 en. Designed to withstand 7 tons of debris or water falling on them.<br />
<br />
A new business of self service radiation measurement has opened in a shopping center in Chiba,<br />
where radioactive particle hot spots have been found : <a href="http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20111005p2a00m0na014000c.html">http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20111005p2a00m0na014000c.html</a><br />
<br />
The medical world has had to take a close look at itself. In Saitama, one doctor has started a home visit service, never before heard of here as even when very very sick home visits are not done and patients must use an ambulance to get to hospital. Hopefully this will spiral as a good new trend.<br />
<br />
In other more "curious"news, 10 million yen was found in a public toilet with an anonymous note reading "for the Tohoku disaster people". After 3 months (govt regulated on hold period) this will be added to he Red Cross donation funds -one third of which has still to be allocated.<br />
<br />
<span class=""><img alt="" class="photo_img img" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/217079_203355073029132_100000639231597_596349_2908346_n.jpg" /><span class="caption"></span></span><span class="UIActionLinks UIActionLinks_bottom" data-ft="{"type":"20"}"><button class="like_link stat_elem as_link" data-ft="{"type":22}" name="like" title="Like this item" type="submit"><span class="default_message"></span></button> </span></div></div>Imo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961590116657809028.post-13024955399184797542011-09-01T05:59:00.000-07:002011-09-01T07:27:57.043-07:00In AmericaI've been in the US for almost 2 weeks and won't be home till Sept 14th. This is a long time away, the longest in years. I miss my home but it is also good to be away and see things objectively. And good to get extended time with Fumi.I flew to Detroit and waited there 6 hours for a connection which was delayed, I go back via LAX . Hurricane Irene passed through this part of CT with little after effect in this area except a power outage of 2 days. New York Manhattan island has seen some serious flooding though and other areas around here are still without power. After the earthquake/tsunami where we had no water, gas, power for almost a month, it seems minimal damage. Attack from under and over and all sides beats us down harder than just from the air.The number of stressors add up.<br />
<br />
I feel like a tourist in America, still don't understand the money and need help with the coins. My accent is not understood sometimes, ways of doing things and appropriate manner/s are different here.<br />
<br />
When I go back, I go straight back to work and will also find out soon if I got an interview for either of the two jobs I applied for. Time here is an escape from that reality. Shiver.Imo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961590116657809028.post-28903963119476817592011-08-17T18:23:00.000-07:002011-08-18T01:23:48.713-07:00SensationalismI am so grateful for the friends I have that have not panicked and been caught up in the wave of hysteria that swept the world after the horrors unfolded at Fukshima.<br />
<br />
When you live through and are close to this kind of world numbing never before seen scale industrial disaster the last thing you want to hear is hysterical voices magnifying the horror. It is no use and no comfort at all for us to hear panicking voices and screeching sensationalism when in the very eye of fear itself. It really makes people involved in the crisis suffer <i>far </i>more.<br />
<br />
The best and kindest and most memorable- helpful response to this crisis has been and will continue to be positive thinking. Hope. Faith in repair. The damage is done and we all know all about how terrible it was. Let's focus on what we can now do on a practical level to dispose of waste, to deactivate, decontaminate and test, test, test. Thank you to all those people who have encouraged us, helped us believe that this is at least partially achievable.<br />
<br />
I don't want to hear any more you tube videos of doom and despair . It doesn't help. It never will help those of us who have to live and stay here. I hope if something like this God forbid should ever happen again, I can in turn give a calm、caring and helpful response to those suffering. This I have learned is the only response of any use.<br />
Rant complete.Imo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961590116657809028.post-64781970861375432162011-08-02T18:57:00.000-07:002011-08-02T19:01:20.451-07:00Rice, beef and fertilizer.At the moment we are all still eating last year's rice crop. Very safe and very tasty :) The problem now is with the new crops that are half grown in the rice paddies. Govt has put in place a mandatory testing system for 18 prefectures (including ours) twice; now- mid rice growing and for those crops that test near the upper level of not safe for cesium isotopes plus another testing after harvest. Poor farmers. Some are going to lose all their hard work. The govt has agreed to compensate all farmers whose rice crops this year exceed the safety margin of 500 becquerels per kilogram.<br />
<br />
Then there is the beef issue. Cattle have been badly affected across the country. Rain during the first 2 months carried toxins very far and many radioactive particles bind best to soil where animal fodder grows. Soil can be made safe..topsoiling is very effective since radionuclides do not bury deep. Not only that, many farmers left their hay and feed outside during those first months and then fed them to their livestock unknowingly. Tests have shown cattle in Iwate (north of here), our prefecture, and even in southern and far west prefectures have also been affected. Again, compensation is being paid and whole herds are being slaughtered and their meat banned.Cattle were worst affected I assume because the feed is often kept outside, chickens and pigs less so.<br />
<br />
We are still not eating any Japanese meat, sad. It is going to take several years of testing to get this sorted. i am reminded of the foot and mouth disease problems in the UK, very different I know but also a loss for farmers and something that took years to resolve.<br />
<br />
Fertilizer is made from leaves, and the leaves are also contaminated being outside, so this year's produce in home and garden centers/DIY stores etc is also unsafe. Some has already made its way out there but much has also been discovered and disposed of.Imo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961590116657809028.post-83213138383974483252011-07-23T03:17:00.000-07:002011-07-23T03:45:01.072-07:00Progress.There has been a lot of progress at the Fukushima plant. From every source I have heard good news, even from the metcha skeptics. First of all the water has finally reached a cool enough temperature for nitrogen to be injected into it. In all plants. This is a huge step forward because nitrogen prohibits flame and means explosions are now far less likely. Explosions were a big fear because it is the explosions that carry the nuclear nuclides high into the air allowing for a wider range of fall out.<br />
<br />
The process of de-contaminating the hosed in water is working too. When it is hosed in, it combines with the radioactive water in the vessel and turns radioactive itself. The de-contamination process uses zeolite and other chemicals that deactivate radioactivity and continue to do so. Figures for radiation around the plant are finally lower. Here in Sendai going down quite a lot weekly.<br />
<br />
We have to praise the sustained efforts of the plant workers. Their dedication to their work. They have done an amazing job against all odds to get this under control. It is now looking possible to achieve complete cold shut down of all reactors by the end of this year.<br />
<br />
Just when we were planning on leaving........ <br />
<br />
This is not to say Fukushima prefecture and random hot spots around are out of trouble. Far from it. With a half life of hundreds of years much of the nuclide fall out that has already fallen is still of grave concern. But govt measures are being implemented to topsoil the top 20 cms of soil that grows crops and burying or disposing of this radioactive soil will take place. Fall out falls. It falls on soil and in reservoirs and on land. It does not stay in the air. It is this that was not chartered with Chernobyl and it is this that we have learned : we can clear fall out to a point. And prevent cattle and animals grazing on this land and infecting their meat and dairy products. This elimination process has also started, late yes but started. It NEVER started at all with Chernobyl. Kids were still drinking contaminated milk for decades as people just did now know the risks at that time. It was not only air radiation that produced cancers there farther from the plant, it was mainly consumption of contaminated produce from contaminated land. <br />
<br />
As for airborn radiation it is still too high for people to return and live near the plant. I hope they never do, although the govt here seems optimistic that people can return to collect possessions after shutdown.Imo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961590116657809028.post-45803521286349149142011-07-13T06:22:00.000-07:002011-07-13T06:22:55.797-07:00Eco friendly dosimeters.Today I learned that a dosimeter to measure radiation can be made out of used PET bottles. It's a much cheaper and eco friendly way to make a dosimeter and simple ones are going to be made for school kids..much like the dosimeters that those in the nuclear workplace carry around with them at all times to measure their own exposure. Nice. And practical since there is a backlog on dosimeter orders here and everywhere is sold out.Imo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961590116657809028.post-87154141258250171152011-07-07T19:07:00.000-07:002011-07-07T19:53:33.410-07:007/8/11Earthquake related suicide rates are still high. There are certain places people go, a forest, a bridge, a cliff...famous spots to end your life, it's one of the saddest things of all..to survive but wish you hadn't. All kinds of mis-info abound and it can be very scary for people who don't really understand and are confused by so much trauma and do not know who to trust or believe.<br />
<br />
On a more positive note, the nuclear situation looks slowly grimly a little better. News that the water hose has been repaired and is not leaking and is managing to continue to decontaminate the radioactive water at reactors 1,2,3 is good news. It is still going to take daily dedication and somebody has to be there every single minute to ensure nothing goes wrong, and this is only stabilizing, not shut down, which will apparantly take another year at least to achieve safely. But, meanwhile bless the amazing plant workers and their courage and dedication as they salvage this mess at the cost of their health.<br />
<br />
At street level, one thing has changed very much since the disasters. This is the nation's slow and definite 'satori' over how the government has manipulated them and decieved them generally over the nuclear accident and so many related issues. There is a new awakening. People everywhere are starting to "do it themselves". This involves ordering their own equipment to test soil and water if they can afford to; disobeying govt stipulations over safety levels and procedures. People are relying more on small community centered support groups; housewives, schools, groups to which people are tied, are taking the lead. There are small but major changes going on in how the disasters are going to shape change and alter the status-quo.<br />
Once people start to question authority and their truth, a rebellion is born. However small, however polite and organized, it is definitely happening.<br />
<br />
One man I know went drinking with some Tokyo govt diet members. The govt has told Fukushima city residents that they are safe. That their radiation exposure is safe, that their kids are safe to go to school...this city is 60km from reactor 1 and declared a hotspot in terms of nuclide fall out. He was told after some drinks I assume, by a diet member, that this is a lie. That it is not safe, but there is no place or money to evacuate families and so much evacuation does not fit well into political dynamics. Of course we knew this, but the fact that leaks like this are happening and spreading down into general street info, re-inforces the huge wave of distrust that is growing among not just the elite informed but everyone, spanning class and generation. Many lies and cover ups have come to the surface, too many to excuse, and ordinairy people are being made to think out of the box, to make major decisions for themselves.It's good mainly of course, but has a dark side too.<br />
<br />
In Fukushima for example, people are taking matters into their own hands, with no specific guidelines from govt, they are topsoiling their yards and dumping the topsoil in forests and mountains creating huge radioactive hotspot deposits. This is one direct result of the govt's lack of advice on protective procedures that will boomerang. Another example is a woman here who is adding charcoal to her kids food because she has heard it will absorb ingested radioactive particles. The whole process of clean up may well end up costing far more than the entire profit of Japan's nuclear industry ever did.Imo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961590116657809028.post-50724451794883346802011-06-30T05:05:00.000-07:002011-06-30T05:30:13.550-07:00Cows, beaches, death toll and mainly....debris.Of all the beaches along the Eastern coast only 2 will open this summer. One is Jodogohama, where I first lived in Japan. Beautiful bay, wrecked with damage but it's a national heritage site so money poured in to swiftly clean it up. Other beaches are out of action due to the massive amount of rubble not yet cleared and the stench and unsanitory conditions. All the beaches are also being checked for sand radioactivity which takes time.<br />
<br />
One hotel owner on the coast nearby said he thought his telephone had broken as nobody was calling to reserve for this summer. I guess hotels along the coast along with fisheries and farmers will also be suffering huge losses this year. <br />
<br />
Thirty-four cows raised at Miyagi Prefectural Agricultural High School in Natori which was an area badly hit along the coast, were swept away by the tsunami. However, 14 of these cows survived, including three shown at a fair last week. These survivor cows have become lucky mascots at the school and are getting extra attention and care.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile more than 90,000 people are still living in shelters more than three months after the Great East Japan Earthquake, and only a fraction of the debris dumped by the ensuing tsunami has been removed, according to official figures.<br />
The death toll from the March 11 disaster reached 15,413 as of Saturday, although 13 percent, or about 2,000 bodies, have yet to be identified, according to the National Police Agency. Another 8,069 people remain missing.<br />
<br />
The Environment Ministry estimated the disaster left 23.92 million TONS of debris in the three prefectures, Miyagi, Fukushima and Iwate, that is a phenomonal amount of rubble and no place for it to go. As of last Friday, about 5.19 million tons--just 22 percent--had been moved to temporary storage spaces.<br />
<br />
In Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, the city that had the most debris dumped on it by the tsunami, only 7 percent had been cleared, the govt says. This disposal of debris along with disposal of contaminated radioactive waste and water remain some of the hugest problems ahead.<br />
<br />
At the plant in Fukushima prefecture, radioactive water is being de- contaminated slowly but govt still not giving the go ahead for the building of a larger trench to house overflow and the installation of zeolite lining for such a trench, and systems that decontaminate water faster than those used, have been offered by various countries but have apparantly been refused.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile it's good to see radiation levels in Sendai at least, are going down little by little.Imo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961590116657809028.post-42324617901837619512011-06-28T05:52:00.000-07:002011-06-28T05:59:48.413-07:00TodayWhat really surprises me is that people are still consuming products from Itate, Mito, Soma, Ibaraki, and Fukushima!!!<br />
Radiation is a cumulative risk. Fact.Those of us here during that first month of extremely high radiation need to be very careful not to exceed our annual danger limit and that means NOT consuming radioactive foods and water. It is quite easy to avoid. There are lots of imported foods available and foods from prefectures that have not caught the radioactive wind. Yet, still, products in the supermarket from these areas (sold extra cheap) are selling well!<br />
It's sooooooooooooooo crazy.<br />
<br />
TEPCO has managed to decontaminate some of the water and has definitely made some progress with the overflow problems at the plant. I am hoping progress continues and the groundwater can be decontaminated soon. Please let this happen!<br />
<br />
Meanwhile here at home X stll refuses to leave Sendai. I just don't know if I can leave without him :( He's my baby! I would miss him horribly and feel so guilty leaving him!. I am beginning to feel that the worst is over, since we have clearly had a horrible exposure and levels these days are going down quite a lot. Maybe "next year" is like closing the barn door after the horse escaped. It's very confusing. Probably the best thing is to apply for only those jobs I would really, really like to have, not the many jobs which would take us away but also be jobs I would not really prefer to what I have now or offer a lower salary. It was so hard asking my boss for a recommendation letter, now he knows I want to leave, maybe my contract won't be renewed anyway. Sigh. So worrying. I love my students, my work, my friends, my life here..so very much. We all do.<br />
Yet........ <br />
<br />
And. There is still so much to do here in terms of helping out. The Sendairect soap was delivered but I have had no time to take pics or get to the shelters. I want to get back to help but school is so busy till August. <br />
<br />
So many tough decisions. As ever.<br />
<br />
(PS Thank you Nat and Tink for comments last month, I only found them recently and dont know how to reply).Imo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961590116657809028.post-48254760519680932342011-06-24T18:23:00.000-07:002011-06-24T18:23:18.406-07:00Solar energyI just read SHARP manufacturer in Japan will build solar power plants domestically. So far solar power plants have been monopolized and it has been difficult for major companies to get licensed .. all it takes is one manufacturer like this and other majors will follow suit. This is good news. Just sad it takes an industrial disaster of such magnitude to prompt it.Imo-mareehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09631742601308910251noreply@blogger.com