The Japanese term hikikomori refers to people who haven't left their homes or interacted with others for six months or more. And new research suggests that 541,000 15- to 39-year-olds in Japan are adopting this lifestyle, avoiding the anxiety attached to social rejection by rejecting society first.

Japan has one of the most committed student bodies in the world, but the pressure of examination culture is fuelling depression among young people. To combat rising mental health issues among students, the Ministry of Education is reforming its university entrance examinations.

‘No sex please, we’re Japanese!’ Sensational headlines suggest that Japan’s sexual appetite is waning; half the population aren’t having sex. But as a country that boasts more sex establishments than there are McDonald’s outlets in America – with 1.4 million couples visiting them daily – is this lack of libido a myth?

What’s got Japanese people worried about their work-life balance? Why are more men staying at home to raise the kids? And how did Halloween become a national holiday? This Cultural Snapshot uses local stats and case studies to explore behavioural norms shared by Japanese people in 2017.