The Japanese term "Otaku" can be used in various contexts, even many Japanese may have a difficulty to define it. I suddenly realized I am one of such.
On the internet, Otaku's started bashing against Terry Ito, a producer and a TV commentator, for his comment on Otaku in a TV program.
AKB48
(park.drillspin.com/matome/view/505e098cc558c)
Recently, there was a shocking incident - two members of AKB48, very popular "48 girls' pop group" in Japan, were attacked by a fan with a saw. It was during a fan event, "Meet the girls and shake hands."
There has been a speculation that, at least for now, such a fan event will be called off.
In his comment, he said "AKB48's fan events have been helping Otaku to come out from their rooms."
Otaku counter-argue "we are rather very active, enthusiastically and repeatedly go out and see idols. Even sometimes go abroad."
Not only Ito, but also I had the same impression - the image of Otaku is very close to that of Hikikomori, people who can't help but avoid social contact.
However, if Otaku can be broke-down into several subgroups, there seems some of them are very much Hikikomori, which was Ito's and my views.
So, probably the correct understanding would be "some of Otaku are active, while some are not."
This difference in definition may not be a big deal in comparison with headline news, such as rampage in US.
However, clearer understanding of such definitions and structures of people may someday provide a meaning to understand our current Japanese society. We have also been suffering from our own deep-rooted social problems.
In addition to the views on the social problems, with my creed to respect people in person, I'd try my best to understand as correctly as I could.
Reference:
Guardian on the AKB48 incident
Japanese girl band AKB48 attacked with a saw at fan event
Wiki on Otaku
Otaku - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Otaku attack Terry Ito: We are rather active (Japanese)
AKB握手会は引きこもり「オタク」が出かける大切な機会 テリー伊藤発言、ネットで「実はアクティブ」と反論くらう
