Lonely? Why not rent some love! Pet rental companies are a growing business in Japan, but if you don't care much for a furry friend, you could choose to rent humans instead. A BBC article shines a light on the wide array of rental businesses in Japan, and brings up the topic of family leasing services. For a fee, you can hire anyone from rentable husbands to mother figures that would sooth your worries:
The website says the "dad" will help the children with their homework. He will sort out problems with the neighbors. He will take the kids to a barbeque or to a park. He could also appear at the daunting interview with a nursery school head teacher which parents are required to endure in order to persuade the principal to give their child a good start in life.
Link (Thanks, V.S.!)
(By Emily Co)
The film "Noriko's Dinner Table" (the pseudo-sequel to "Suicide Circle") was basically about this kind of thing.
Posted by: Jeff | January 12, 2009 at 07:42 PM
I smell a Japanese dorama...
Posted by: Risachan | January 13, 2009 at 08:21 AM
What is it about the culture overseas where something like this is possible? It would never work in America. I wish our society was open to quirky-ness.
Posted by: Monica | January 13, 2009 at 11:22 AM