Article
‘Rental Family’ spotlights real-life Japanese businesses that offer fill-in relatives, friends
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20251122/p2g/00m/0et/015000c
Discussion questions
- Were you aware that such services were available in Japan? What is your impression of the sorts of rental services that are described in the article?
- Do you know anyone, or have you heard of anyone, who has used one of these services? Would you be interested in using one of these services?
- Do you think that rental services such as these are useful and a positive industry in Japan? What are the positives and negatives of such a service?
- There has been much discussion about Japan’s loneliness epidemic over the years. Do you believe that this type of rental service can help to lessen the amount of loneliness in Japan?
- What are some reasons that loneliness is so prevalent in Japan? How do you think that loneliness and the feelings of isolation can be helped so that people feel more positive about life?
