Exploring Japan's Rental Family Services Amid Growing Loneliness

Tokyo, Nov 21 (AP) - The life of Ryuichi Ichinokawa closely mirrors the fictional world depicted in the film "Rental Family," a drama by Searchlight Pictures that opens in theatres this Friday and stars Brendan Fraser. Nearly two decades ago, Ichinokawa founded Heart Project, a unique business venture in Japan that provides a surrogate attendance service, offering stand-ins for a variety of social roles.

His enterprise has recruited numerous individuals to impersonate reporters at low-attendance events, act as partners in legal discussions, or even stand in as a spouse for hospital visits. “I am being of service to people. I hope they will be happy,” Ichinokawa mentioned, though he requested that his photograph not be taken to maintain his anonymity.

The plot of "Rental Family" involves an American actor named Phillip, recruited by a Tokyo agency to play different roles, from a video game companion to a long-lost father, often finding himself emotionally entangled in what should be superficial interactions.

The film underscores a current reality in Japan where loneliness is prevalent, and hiring actors to fill social roles is seen by some as a comforting antidote. Despite potential skepticism from outsiders, users of these services often describe them as healing.

Director Mitsuyo Miyazaki, known professionally as Hikari, was inspired to delve into the industry after learning about these unique businesses. With numerous companies providing rental families, Hikari believes the need for such emotional fillers will persist, if not grow, as social dynamics evolve.

Ichinokawa's clients typically have a social image to maintain, prompting requests for roles such as a bar patron or a school event family member. Sometimes, he even goes as far as creating fake business cards to maintain the illusion.

Despite the challenges, with roles varying in complexity and the potential for mistakes, Ichinokawa feels a deep commitment to his work: “I don't feel I am acting. I really get angry if that's what the situation requires,” he asserts.

The financial compensation for these roles ranges from 9,800 Yen (approximately USD 63) for simpler tasks to 20,000 Yen (about USD 130) or more for intricate roles, with Ichinokawa never repeating a part to minimize errors.

The backdrop to this phenomenon is Japan's longstanding struggle with loneliness and mental health issues. Although initiatives have been made to address these challenges, the cultural emphasis on collectivism adds to the difficulty of openly discussing mental health issues.

Chikako Ozawa-de Silva from Emory University notes that while renting actors is a superficial fix, it can be useful as a stopgap while longer-term solutions are pursued. “When you help somebody and if they feel like you're being supportive, that makes you feel good,” Hikari adds, emphasizing that family need not be blood-related.

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