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The rental family business began in the 1990s, pioneered by Tokyo-based company ‘Family Romance’. Founded by Ishii Yuichi, this company initially provided actors to play the roles of family members.
Ishii Yuichi, now 43 years old, is a ‘father’ to more than 25 families and a ‘husband’ to over 600 women, but none of them belong to his real family. (News18 Hindi)
You must have heard of renting businesses for houses, vehicles and even clothing, but in Japan, a peculiar renting business is gaining popularity. Believed to have started around 30 years ago, the business of renting family members has grown rapidly in this country.
Yes, with money, you can now rent almost any family member, or even multiple, including parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, children, and husband or wife in Japan. You can keep them with you for as long as your budget allows and experience the comfort of a temporary family.
The rental family business began in the 1990s, pioneered by the Tokyo-based company ‘Family Romance’. Founded by Ishii Yuichi, this company initially provided actors to play the roles of family members. The service was introduced to help individuals suffering from loneliness.
Ishii Yuichi, now 43 years old, is a ‘father’ to more than 25 families and a ‘husband’ to over 600 women, but none of them belong to his real family. His company, Family Romance, employs 1,200 actors who take on various roles. From playing the father of a bride at a wedding to filling in as a missing parent or a long-lost son, Yuichi has played nearly every imaginable role. He has even been hired as a stand-in groom.
Why Do People Rent Families?
Initially, rental family services were primarily used by individuals who lived alone or lacked close relatives. However, demand has grown over time, and these services are now employed for a variety of purposes, such as:
- Attending weddings
- Attending funerals
- Acting in dramas or films
- Overcoming loneliness
- Participating in social events
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost of renting a family in Japan varies depending on the number of members rented and the duration of the rental. Although a common price for hiring a family member ranges from 5,000 yen to 20,000 yen per hour. One Japanese yen is approximately 0.57 Indian rupees.
Today, multiple companies in Japan provide rental family services. A catalogue is provided, listing available family members with their details, allowing customers to choose based on their preferences.
Rising Popularity
The trend of renting families is increasing in Japan because a significant number of people live alone. Many individuals relocate for work and are separated from their families. To fill this emotional void, they rent family members for companionship.
However, this concept remains controversial, as some critics argue that it diminishes the value of real relationships and deepens feelings of loneliness. They believe that relying on rented relationships could negatively impact Japanese society.
Industry Spreading Beyond Japan
While it is difficult to estimate the exact number of people using rental family services, experts believe that lakhs of Japanese citizens have tried it. The number of companies offering this service is also growing, indicating high demand. Inspired by Japan, similar businesses have now emerged in South Korea and China.
What Can You Rent In A Family?
In Japan, rental family services offer a variety of roles, allowing clients to choose members based on their needs:
- Parents: Rentable parents can spend time with you, offer advice, and participate in family activities.
- Siblings: Rented brothers and sisters can accompany you, play games, and go out with you.
- Husband or Wife: Clients can rent a spouse for companionship, dates, to attend public gatherings, or even romantic outings.
- Children: Rented children can play with clients, go on outings, and engage in family activities.
