Japanese Rent-a-Friend Services

[Parhe]

I thought it would be Karoshi or some other problems the economy brought forth.

Read the whole thing, heres a bit more of the article:

"But at the same time as this "economic miracle" has swept the country to greater riches, many traditional social structures have broken down, with smaller families, rising house prices, the end of lifelong employment, fierce competition for the best jobs and rising alcoholism."

Other than the economic growth, isn't that also whats happening in Russia

[Lackadaisical2]

Read the whole thing, heres a bit more of the article:

"But at the same time as this "economic miracle" has swept the country to greater riches, many traditional social structures have broken down, with smaller families, rising house prices, the end of lifelong employment, fierce competition for the best jobs and rising alcoholism."

Other than the economic growth, isn't that also whats happening in Russia

I dunno, their economy did grow rapidly under Putin not so long ago, I still think its the after effects of dealing with communist rule though.

(In actuality, Russia's suicide rates aren't much different from say, France)

[NewChicagoCommonwealth]

So glad I don't live in SK anymore.

[Arumdaum]

So glad I don't live in SK anymore.

You used to live there?

[Parhe]

Other than the economic growth, isn't that also whats happening in Russia

I dunno, their economy did grow rapidly under Putin not so long ago, I still think its the after effects of dealing with communist rule though.

(In actuality, Russia's suicide rates aren't much different from say, France)

Yes, from what I understand, suicide is on a rise, and alcohol abuse, already prevalent in men and women, is gaining momentum.

[NewChicagoCommonwealth]

Yeah, I'm from Daegu.

[Fallos Miriai]

Marrying inanimate objects, used panties dispensers, the japanese weird list goes on and on...

[Arumdaum]

Yeah, I'm from Daegu.

You're Korean? How long did you live there and what was it like?

[Newtamander]

Yes, because in Japan, people are treated like objects. The "kawaii" anime mascots get more love and support than a newborn baby in that country.

[Brandenburg-Altmark]

I think you people don't understand what this actually is. It's kind of a bad sign in terms of a social problem, but this isn't about "ronery japaneses rooking for a flend." It's hiring actors to form a backdrop, such as at weddings and important parties. It's kind of depressing that people in Japan feel they have to put up a false front to be socially accepted, but this isn't the thing it's being made out to be.

[Episarta]

I wouldn't mind renting a nice Japanese guy, mmm...

[Samurkhan]

I think you people don't understand what this actually is. It's kind of a bad sign in terms of a social problem, but this isn't about "ronery japaneses rooking for a flend." It's hiring actors to form a backdrop, such as at weddings and important parties. It's kind of depressing that people in Japan feel they have to put up a false front to be socially accepted, but this isn't the thing it's being made out to be.

Yeah, I am glad you put this up. I find that to be one of the more compelling bits, and am not so happy with the Guardian headline. I don't know very much at all about Japanese society, especially why that in conservative circles it is young men and women feel so socially unacceptable to not have contact with their parents (even if this is because the parents died) that they hire out actors and deceive in-laws and even spouses. It all seems very unusual. I was curious if someone could fill in the holes by our British press there and offer insight in to the reason young people feel this need.

[Brandenburg-Altmark]

I think you people don't understand what this actually is. It's kind of a bad sign in terms of a social problem, but this isn't about "ronery japaneses rooking for a flend." It's hiring actors to form a backdrop, such as at weddings and important parties. It's kind of depressing that people in Japan feel they have to put up a false front to be socially accepted, but this isn't the thing it's being made out to be.

Yeah, I am glad you put this up. I find that to be one of the more compelling bits, and am not so happy with the Guardian headline. I don't know very much at all about Japanese society, especially why that in conservative circles it is young men and women feel so socially unacceptable to not have contact with their parents (even if this is because the parents died) that they hire out actors and deceive in-laws and even spouses. It all seems very unusual. I was curious if someone could fill in the holes by our British press there and offer insight in to the reason young people feel this need.

I'm not an expert, but obedience is a major part of East Asian culture in general, and the social hierarchy goes by generation. It's been sort of imprinted in their society that a family includes parents at the top.

[Fallos Miriai]

I think you people don't understand what this actually is. It's kind of a bad sign in terms of a social problem, but this isn't about "ronery japaneses rooking for a flend." It's hiring actors to form a backdrop, such as at weddings and important parties. It's kind of depressing that people in Japan feel they have to put up a false front to be socially accepted, but this isn't the thing it's being made out to be.

Yeah, I am glad you put this up. I find that to be one of the more compelling bits, and am not so happy with the Guardian headline. I don't know very much at all about Japanese society, especially why that in conservative circles it is young men and women feel so socially unacceptable to not have contact with their parents (even if this is because the parents died) that they hire out actors and deceive in-laws and even spouses. It all seems very unusual. I was curious if someone could fill in the holes by our British press there and offer insight in to the reason young people feel this need.

Because the standards are much higher in many asian countries. If you don't have an acceptable looking life, you might as well kill yourself. Thus why their suicide rate is so high.

A nation that fails 1/3 of their population has issues.

[Brandenburg-Altmark]

Yeah, I am glad you put this up. I find that to be one of the more compelling bits, and am not so happy with the Guardian headline. I don't know very much at all about Japanese society, especially why that in conservative circles it is young men and women feel so socially unacceptable to not have contact with their parents (even if this is because the parents died) that they hire out actors and deceive in-laws and even spouses. It all seems very unusual. I was curious if someone could fill in the holes by our British press there and offer insight in to the reason young people feel this need.

Because the standards are much higher in many asian countries. If you don't have an acceptable looking life, you might as well kill yourself. Thus why their suicide rate is so high.

A nation that fails 1/3 of their population has issues.

Japanese society has a lot of problems, but as their media becomes a bit more international, the new generation isn't holding as much to these traditions. Still, the older generations tend to do their best to make them feel bad for not being exactly the way they're expected to be. Japanese society, in terms of how generations interact, seems to be all the worst aspects of western culture magnified. I'd expect these problems to become a lot less prevalent in about 3 generations, by the looks of things. Compare modern Japan to Japan in 1940, and you'll see things appear to be changing for the better.

[Isolated China]

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

Why am I not suprised.....

[Nightkill the Emperor]

The Japanese are smart business bastards.

[Fallos Miriai]

Because the standards are much higher in many asian countries. If you don't have an acceptable looking life, you might as well kill yourself. Thus why their suicide rate is so high.

A nation that fails 1/3 of their population has issues.

Japanese society has a lot of problems, but as their media becomes a bit more international, the new generation isn't holding as much to these traditions. Still, the older generations tend to do their best to make them feel bad for not being exactly the way they're expected to be. Japanese society, in terms of how generations interact, seems to be all the worst aspects of western culture magnified. I'd expect these problems to become a lot less prevalent in about 3 generations, by the looks of things. Compare modern Japan to Japan in 1940, and you'll see things appear to be changing for the better.

Yeah, I guess they're better than they used to be, but they still have a LONG way to go.

Then again, don't we all?

[Gauthier]

It made me think of this.

[NewChicagoCommonwealth]

Yeah, I'm from Daegu.

You're Korean? How long did you live there and what was it like?

Yeah, I was born there and I lived there for three years before coming to the states. After that I went back every few summers and then was stationed there as an aviator.