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I see that Rental Person Who Does Nothing レンタルなにもしない人 has finally gotten picked up by western media. I’m surprised it took so long since it fits into the general “Japan Is So Weird” slot. 1/ https://twitter.com/qikipedia/status/1349959502444056576
Mr. Rental Do Nothing, Shoji Morimoto, caused quite a stir in Japanese media 2 years ago (yes it took a long time to reach overseas media) when he was featured on some TV programs. The question was of course why anyone would hire a guy who “did nothing”. This is Mr. Morimoto. 2/
He’s 36 years old and very non-threatening in appearance. The things he is typically hired for: standing in a long queue holding a place, staking out a hanami or other hotly contested viewing spot, dining companion at a restaurant. 3/
His fee is 10,000 yen plus travel expenses to/from Kokubunji station in Tokyo, plus meal etc. costs during the assignment. He is there to be another person, a neutral presence, so he offers no advice or anything. 4/
There was a TV drama based on his tweets of his experiences and book last year, starring Takayuki Masuda of the group News (genius casting since Masuda (Massuu) looks very quiet and non-threatening too.) 5/
There are people you can hire in many placesfor similar purposes, although often there’s usually another dimension attached, eg sex or “coaching” or whatever. But sometimes you just need another person to be there. So in a sense Mr. Morimoto is a genius who knows his market. 6/
It may be a business that is only possible conducted by someone with a neutral non-threatening aura...and in a low crime society. 7/7
You can follow Mr. Morimoto @morimotoshoji. He currently seems to be enjoying the reactions to his story in various countries.
I’ve seen many reactions calling what he does easy, and “the best job ever” etc. I think it’s actually very hard work, to be there but be totally detached, not get affected emotionally, only respond neutrally, be like air basically.
