In this final thesis, I will present the influence of Japanese society and culture on the emergence of the phenomenon of hikikomori, i.e. a phenomenon of social isolation that many believe is socially conditioned. The methods I used to research the topic were books and article analysis about hikikomori, research papers found on the Internet, websites, and documentaries. I presented the phenomenon from the definition of the term and how the phenomenon is perceived within Japanese society. By utilising various sources, I summarized the reasons that are most often considered the cause of the phenomenon and explained them separately. The sources analysed reflect high expectations, rejection of deviation from societal norms, the structure of traditional Japanese families, and bullying within Japanese society. Japan has also recognized and researched the phenomenon and has provided the rest of the world with a clearer and easier definition and recognition of such social isolation in other countries of the world.