Japanese Rent-a-Friend Services

by **Samurkhan** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 8:25 am

Did anybody hear recently about this Japanese Rent-a-Friend services?

In brief, a counselor named Ryuichi Ichinokawa tried to run an online counseling service. He found there was not much interest in that, but instead opened an agency that roughly translates to Cheer You Up. It provides actors to pose as your fake family and friends, mostly for wedding ceremonies, so as you do not lose face for having dead relatives or having lost touch with your relatives. Also, for the recently laid off, they can provide a fake boss and co-workers. It does not charge very much and the actors, or agents as they are called, do not get much monetary benefit. It is seen as social work.

Here is the Guardian's brief piece on it:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/20/japan-relatives-professional-stand-ins
Here is the in depth BBC report:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/documentaries/2011/01/110127_documentary_japan_a_friend_in_need.shtml

I just really found the whole thing fascinating. I don't really know what it says about relationships

by **Ifreann** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 8:26 am

Japan remains weird, as ever. Such is the result of nuclear warfare. *nods*

by **Hallistar** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 8:31 am

Ifreann wrote:Japan remains weird, as ever. Such is the result of nuclear warfare. *nods*

by **Ovisterra** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 8:40 am

I think you'd have to be real lonely....

by **New East Ireland** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 8:41 am

What... The... Hell?

by **Norstal** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 8:43 am

What, we don't already do that with politicians? The only difference is that the Japanese capitalizes on it. Smart bastards.

by **Vellosia** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 8:57 am

I've heard about this before.

To be honest, it further highlights the dysfunctionality of Japanese society. Like how they have one of the highest rates of mental illness, serial killers and suicides in the developed world. Weird place, weird society.

by **Imperatorskaja Rossija** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 8:59 am

Guess it could help for a good reference.

"Oh, yeah that guy! I remember him he's awesome! Working 8754 hours a week! What? Yeah he did, don't call me a liar!"

Not much else, though.

by **Holaloperho** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:01 am

Vellosia wrote:I've heard about this before.

To be honest, it further highlights the dysfunctionality of Japanese society. Like how they have one of the highest rates of mental illness, serial killers and suicides in the developed world. Weird place, weird society.

In fact, the entire Asia have similar culture with Japan in this aspect.
Is that mean Asia country have higher rates of mental illness, serial killers and suicides?

BTW, I think this service should be pretty popular in Hong Kong too

by **Arumdaum** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:02 am

Ovisterra wrote:I think you'd have to be real lonely....

^ This....

It seems a bit weird, but I understand why someone would want to do it.

by **Jordsindia** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:04 am

Imma call them! I need these services!

by **Parhe** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:05 am

Of course people find (another) way to make money off of the lonely and depressed.
Though not much.

by **Oterro** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:06 am

They do nothing to sate my hatred. >:(

by **Parhe** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:06 am

Holaloperho wrote:
Vellosia wrote:I've heard about this before.

To be honest, it further highlights the dysfunctionality of Japanese society. Like how they have one of the highest rates of mental illness, serial killers and suicides in the developed world. Weird place, weird society.

In fact, the entire Asia have similar culture with Japan in this aspect.
Is that mean Asia country have higher rates of mental illness, serial killers and suicides?

BTW, I think this service should be pretty popular in Hong Kong too

I think overall east asia has a high rate of suicide and mantel illness.

by **Esoterias** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:06 am

It's almost as useful as the Korean Buy-a-Bride...

by **Arumdaum** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:08 am

Parhe wrote:
Holaloperho wrote:
In fact, the entire Asia have similar culture with Japan in this aspect.
Is that mean Asia country have higher rates of mental illness, serial killers and suicides?

BTW, I think this service should be pretty popular in Hong Kong too

I think overall east asia has a high rate of suicide and mantel illness.

It's probably due to all the emphasis on education, and how unaccepting the culture can sometimes be.

by **Arumdaum** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:09 am

Esoterias wrote:It's almost as useful as the Korean Buy-a-Bride...

Korea has that? Interesting.

I live there and I've never heard of it. >_______>

by **Esoterias** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:11 am

Arumdaum wrote:
Esoterias wrote:It's almost as useful as the Korean Buy-a-Bride...

Korea has that? Interesting.

I live there and I've never heard of it. >_______>

I saw it as a pop-up while doing a book report. My mom came in at the same time. FML.

by **Parhe** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:11 am

Arumdaum wrote:
Parhe wrote:I think overall east asia has a high rate of suicide and mantel illness.

It's probably due to all the emphasis on education, and how unaccepting the culture can sometimes be.

But that is part of the culture. A high drive for education and lack of integrating of foreigners.

Arumdaum wrote:
Esoterias wrote:It's almost as useful as the Korean Buy-a-Bride...

Korea has that? Interesting.

I live there and I've never heard of it. >_______>

I think its when farmers basically pay women from places like Vietnam to marry them

by **Anemos Major** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:11 am

Vellosia wrote:I've heard about this before.

To be honest, it further highlights the dysfunctionality of Japanese society. Like how they have one of the highest rates of mental illness, serial killers and suicides in the developed world. Weird place, weird society.

You're making rather large assumptions about the state of Japanese society, I'm afraid. Understand that from our point of view, rather a lot of other nations look dysfunctional and weird.

Overall, you shouldn't make too much of it. In every society, there are fringe eccentrics; though it's true that Japan has it's fair share of social problems (a high suicide rate encouraged by tradition-grounded social acceptance and encouragement, the Hikkikomori issue etc), this shouldn't really be taken as a reflection of Japanese society as a whole.

by **Holaloperho** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:11 am

Arumdaum wrote:
Parhe wrote:I think overall east asia has a high rate of suicide and mantel illness.

It's probably due to all the emphasis on education, and how unaccepting the culture can sometimes be.

Be more straight forward-ASIA'S CULTURE IN EDUCATION DOESN'T PROMOTE PEOPLE TO THINK, DAMMIT !

by **Arumdaum** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:13 am

Holaloperho wrote:
Arumdaum wrote:It's probably due to all the emphasis on education, and how unaccepting the culture can sometimes be.

Be more straight forward-ASIA'S CULTURE IN EDUCATION DOESN'T PROMOTE PEOPLE TO THINK, DAMMIT !

I greatly agree with you.

It kills off creativity and doesn't make you think for yourself.

by **Tiami** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:15 am

How can they have a Rent-a-Friend service when the Americans were kind enough to drop a Mushroom on them in 1945?
See, we were being nice.

by **Esoterias** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:16 am

Tiami wrote:How can they have a Rent-a-Friend service when the Americans were kind enough to drop a Mushroom on them in 1945?

Because people forgive things after 66 years.

by **Oterro** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:16 am

Anemos Major wrote:
Vellosia wrote:I've heard about this before.

To be honest, it further highlights the dysfunctionality of Japanese society. Like how they have one of the highest rates of mental illness, serial killers and suicides in the developed world. Weird place, weird society.

You're making rather large assumptions about the state of Japanese society, I'm afraid. Understand that from our point of view, rather a lot of other nations look dysfunctional and weird.

Overall, you shouldn't make too much of it. In every society, there are fringe eccentrics; though it's true that Japan has it's fair share of social problems (a high suicide rate encouraged by tradition-grounded social acceptance and encouragement, the Hikkikomori issue etc), this shouldn't really be taken as a reflection of Japanese society as a whole.

Hikkikomori is hardly unique to Japan, is it. Socially retarded people can be found in all societies.