In Japan, studying English is, and has long been, a perpetual mission for many people, and there is no shortage of books, DVDs and schools touting newer, better, quicker and easier ways to master the global language.
Takehiko Kikuchi, a 52-year-old English teacher who occasionally pops up on TV variety shows as a sort of nerdy — but earnest — English expert, has carved out a niche in this crowded industry with a new English-learning method referred to as hikikomori ryugaku (studying English while leading a reclusive life).
The odd term, which Kikuchi says was coined by his managers, not him, means that it's not necessary to travel to distant time zones or to have a particularly outgoing personality to attain communicative levels of English.