Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Professor Takahiro Kato of the Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neuropathology, Faculty of Medicine Hokkaido University, have jointly upgraded the existing FACEDUO "Hikikomori Family Support Program" and begun offering a comprehensive program.

This program, which began offering in February 2024, uses virtual reality (VR) to let family members experience specific scenarios to learn how to identify hikikomori. By experiencing the same scenario from both their own perspective and their child's, family members are encouraged to become more aware of communication and support improving relationships within the home. With the cooperation of Hokkaido University Graduate Faculty of Medicine, content has been added that can be used with a series of materials, including training videos and booklets that teach the importance of family support and specific methods, making it possible to provide comprehensive educational support to families of hikikomori.

Please check this out for details. *You will be redirected to the Hokkaido University core website.