Virtual online spaces are helping social recluses in Japan stay connected to the world and make a full return to society. Local governments and private companies are offering consultation support, work-from-home jobs, and unique club activities based on common interests. The Kyoto prefectural government has held virtual meetups for shut-ins since June 2022, where avatars gather at a table surrounded by trees.

The virtual community is managed by Kizuki, an operator of cram schools for troubled children. Participants chat about their favorite foods, the weather, and watch live video games on YouTube. The virtual community currently has a small group of participants, ranging from preteens to those in their 40s, and is easy to join.

The Kanagawa prefectural government is planning to host a similar virtual space for social recluses in fiscal 2023. Tokyoite Kunio Yamada launched an employment service called "Comoly" in 2020, offering in-home work and a wide variety of activities, including online club activities. Yamada thinks that the stereotype of "independence equals employment" is what pushes shut-ins further away from society.