"Question: Why can one keep living as a hikikomori?
Answer: Because one's food clothing and shelter are assured. It's because one is permitted a lukewarm bare minimum of a life that one can keep living as a hikikomori indefinitely. Being able to live as a hikikomori was in itself very much a luxury. Without the assurance of food clothing and shelter unless you're prepared to die there's no other way but to work."