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.

Watching other people study might not make for the most thrilling entertainment, but in Japan, clips of strangers studying are going viral. With a widespread sense of disconnect among young people, students are turning to online videos to share in a sense of community.

The popularity of arcades in Japan have been waning, but VR may be able to breath new life into the industry. While VR is often seen as an isolating solitary pursuit, the influx of VR in Japanese arcades is making gaming more sociable again, and steering young people from more isolated pursuits.

Everyone feels a bit lonely from time to time, and research suggests that a lack of social interaction can influence what we buy. A study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology suggests that when people are lonely, they’re more likely to seek out products with faces on.