EP.75 – おじさんまでレンタル⁈ちょっと変わった日本のレンタル文化【Japanese Podcast】

Main ideas & lessons from the subtitles

1) Japanese phrase usage: “Gokurousama” / “Otsukaresama”

The host explains that “Gokurousama” (“Thank you for your hard work”) is used to acknowledge someone else’s effort.

Typical proper usage

• Commonly spoken by superiors to subordinates (or seniors to juniors) as a form of workplace respect.

Potential mistake

• If a lower-status person says it to a higher-status person, it can sound rude or socially mismatched.

Safe alternatives

• When unsure, “Otsukaresama desu” or “Otsukaresama deshita” are presented as safer choices.

Key nuance

• You generally don’t use “thank you for your hard work” to refer to yourself (e.g., “I worked hard today” is more natural).
• It can be used jokingly between close people; the host mentions using it between spouses.

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2) “Rental culture” in Japan: unusual “rental” services

The host introduces the theme that in Japan, “rentals” can go beyond objects to include people and social roles. These services are emphasized as not mainstream for everyone, and are often surprising.

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Rental services mentioned (detailed outline)

A) Rent an Old Man (仮の話：Rent-a-dad / “ojisan” rental)

What it is

• Hourly rental of middle-aged/older men (roughly men in their 40s–50s).

How selection works

• Users browse profiles and choose someone based on experience/areas of expertise.
• Differences by provider may include:
  • Some men are better as listeners
  • Others are better for doing tasks/work

Requests depend on the hired person

• You must check the profile carefully and then make an appropriate request.

Cost (as described)

• Example base fee: 1,000 yen per hour
• Additional separate costs:
  • Transportation
  • Meals (e.g., lunch together)
  • Facility usage fees

Common user base (per the host’s research)

• Mostly women in their 20s and 30s

Most common requests

• Having someone listen to worries/complaints
  • Topics: work, relationships, marital issues
• Going together to:
  • meals
  • movies
  • events
• Assistance with:
  • shopping and tidying up
  • lifting heavy objects
  • assembling furniture

Why ask a stranger instead of friends/family?

• It can be embarrassing or uncomfortable to talk openly to people you know.
• A third-party older man can provide:
  • comfort/security
  • an “older” perspective and advice
  • a sense of emotional safety

Core appeal

• You can request someone only for the time you need, without long-term involvement.

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B) Rental Boyfriend / Rental Girlfriend

What it is

• Choose a staff member by profile, then enjoy a date-like experience for the reservation duration.

“Cast member” meaning

• The hired person who acts as the boyfriend/girlfriend role.

Main activities

• Meals, cafes, movies
• Shopping, sightseeing, concerts
• Anything aligned with the user’s interests

Common use cases

• Restaurants/venues that feel difficult to go to alone
• Special occasions (e.g., birthdays)

What the service offers

• A way to experience “being with a lover” without a real romantic relationship
• Can serve as “practice” for people not used to dating or talking to the opposite sex

Rules / boundaries (strict)

• No kissing
• No physical contact
• No sexual requests
• No hotel/private-room requests
• No bringing them to your place for private time together

Cost structure

• Usage time/fee and scope are predetermined
• Date expenses are paid by the client

Described payment practice

• The host describes many women giving the date money in a “pochibukuro” (small envelope).
• The rental partner can then pay on the user’s behalf, making it look like the “boyfriend” is paying in front of store staff/cashiers.

Reasoning behind it (as portrayed)

• The behavior helps preserve the “couple/date” presentation.

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C) Family Rental

What it is

• Staff play family roles (father, mother, siblings, grandparents, etc.).

When it happens

• They act as “family” only during designated situations/times.

Additional setup

• Some services include a detailed prior meeting:
  • family structure
  • how you address each other

Pre-arranged conversation

• Users decide in advance what kind of conversation/interaction will occur.

Purposes / scenarios

• Business events
• School events (e.g., sports days)
• Meeting a prospective spouse’s family
• Weddings

Motivations

• Estranged from real family
• Circumstances prevent relying on real family

Examples of requests

• Joining for a family-style meal
• Participating in special events

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D) Friend Rental

What it is

• A staff member accompanies you as a friend for the reserved period.

Common activities

• Shopping, movies, meals, karaoke, events you wouldn’t go alone

Other request types

• Someone to listen to you / let you vent
• Help covering participation needs:
  • short on people for a joint event
  • counted as guests at weddings when guest numbers are low

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E) Rent-a-person who does nothing

What it is

• An activity run by Masashi Morimoto (profile described in the subtitles).
• Started in 2018
• As of August 2026, requests are accepted via his official X account.

Core concept

• You go to a designated place and spend time with him.
• He “does nothing” except:
  • eat
  • drink
  • simple reception/conversation

Why it became popular

• Became a major talking point:
  • book publication
  • TV appearances
  • drama adaptation

Popularity

• His official X account reportedly has about 410,000 followers

Example requests

• Wait for someone at the finish line of a marathon
• Come along because the user wants to file for divorce
• Requests where the user doesn’t need help—just wants endless listening (or someone present)
• Reserve a spot for cherry blossom viewing

Who it appeals to (as described)

• People who feel lonely or uneasy alone
• People who don’t want opinions/advice—just listening
• People for whom asking friends is stressful, so they prefer someone who “does nothing”

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Cross-country note (Korea)

• The host asks whether similar services exist in South Korea.
• Her husband says:
  • Yes, friend rental services exist in Korea
  • Example use: matching guest counts for weddings

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Questions posed to viewers (prompted by the host)

• Among the unusual rental services introduced, which surprised viewers the most?
• Any service viewers would like to try?
• Whether there are similarly unusual rental services in viewers’ own countries.

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Speakers / sources featured

• Ma’s Japanese Podcast / Mai (host; implied speaker: the main narrator calling herself “Mai” / “Ma”)
• The host’s husband (asked about rental services in South Korea)
• Masashi Morimoto (provider of “rent-a-person who does nothing”)
• Official websites / official X account (referenced as sources for service details and follower count)