A whopping 1.5 million working-age people in Japan have been affected by Hikikomori, a phenomenon that is characterized by social withdrawal syndrome, depression, longstanding periods of stress and anxiety, a survey by the country has revealed.

日本一项调查显示，日本多达150万劳动年龄人口受到“隐蔽青年”的影响，这种现象的特征是社交退缩综合症、抑郁、长期的压力和焦虑。

The socially avoidant behavior has been linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced lockdowns and government-mandated social isolations, The Guardian reported.

据《卫报》报道，这种社交回避行为与疫情有关，疫情迫使各国实行封锁和政府强制的社会隔离。

The government poll conducted by the cabinet office in November on 30,000 people in Japan between the ages of 10 and 69 found that 2% of those in the 15-62 age group had Hikikomori, The Guardian reported.

据《卫报》报道，日本内阁府于去年11月，对3万名年龄在10岁至69岁之间的人进行了一项政府民调，结果显示，15岁至62岁之间的人群中，2%的人患有“隐蔽青年症”。

The government survey also noted a growing example of more people socially withdrawing after quitting their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. At least 18% of the total recluses were aged between 15 and 39 and 20% of those aged between 40 and 64, Economic Times reported.

政府调查还指出，越来越多的人在疫情期间辞职后退出社交。据《经济时报》报道，至少18%的社交隐士年龄在15岁至39岁之间，20%的社交隐士年龄在40岁至64岁之间。

Among those aged between 40 and 64, 44.5% said their behavior was linked to them leaving their jobs, while 20.6% mentioned the pandemic.

在40岁至64岁的人群中，44.5%的人说他们的行为与辞职有关，20.6%的人是因为疫情。