In Japan, the term hikikomori is used to refer to group of young people who have withdrawn from social life and have had no relationships outside of the family for a period in excess of six months. Hikikomoris do not work or participate in any form of education and frequently remain in their homes for protracted periods of time: sometimes for several years. Although Japanese statistics relating to the prevalence of hikikomoris are unreliable, some experts suggest that their numbers may exceed one million