In Japan, while people in London hire dog walkers, Japanese society has reached the extremes of social strangeness, where specialized companies have emerged for “hiring humans” to fill emotional or social voids. In Japan, if you feel lonely, need someone to scold you, or even a “father” to attend your wedding, everything is available.. and the price is in dollars.
The most popular service is renting parents and relatives. You can rent someone to play the role of a father, mother, or spouse. This service is often used in weddings to hide a shortage of relatives, or by single mothers who want a “father” to accompany their children to school events. The cost starts at $150 per person per event, plus covering their food and transportation expenses.
There is also the “Apology” service. Japanese people sanctify apologies, but some situations are very embarrassing. Here come the apology companies; they send a professional to apologize on your behalf to your boss at work or to your life partner, in a dramatic and convincing way. The cost is about $100 for a face-to-face apology, and $50 for an apology via phone or email.
For social media fame, you can rent a “friend” for photos. Some want to appear as a popular person who always goes out with friends. You can rent a group of stylish young men and women to go out with you and take photos so that your social life looks bustling. The cost is about $30 to $50 per hour for each “friend”.
For stressed female employees, there is the service of renting a “handsome man” to wipe away tears. The company sends a handsome man to the office to watch a sad movie with you to encourage you to cry and release negative energy, then he gently wipes away your tears with a cotton handkerchief! The cost is about $65 per session.
Finally, you can rent a “grandfather” or “grandmother”. Due to family disintegration and the increasing number of elderly people, some young families rent a “grandfather” to spend time with children and teach them wisdom and traditions, or young people rent a “grandfather” to seek advice. The cost ranges from $20 to $40 per hour.
