In a world increasingly plagued by the "alone virus," 40-year-old Shoji Morimoto has turned the act of existing into a high-paying career.
The Tokyo-based entrepreneur earns $80,000 a year as a "rental person who does nothing," charging clients roughly $100 for a few hours of his silent, often awkward companionship.
Morimoto’s business model is deceptively simple: he provides a physical presence for people who don't want to be alone but aren't looking for actual conversation or friendship.
From watching a woman scream while snooping through her husband's dating profile to witnessing a client eat shredded paper like rice, Morimoto has seen it all.
But he maintains a strict professional boundary, explicitly stating, "I do it for pay, not pals."
While the job may sound kooky, it addresses a dire public health crisis.
Morimoto’s services target Hikikomori syndrome, extreme social withdrawal, which researchers warn can lead to premature mortality, heart disease, and even brain shrinkage.
By simply being "there," Morimoto provides a low-pressure bridge back to human interaction for those suffering from chronic isolation.
Morimoto isn't the only one finding a market in the friendship gap.
Across the globe, "mate-making" is becoming a formalized industry: Isabella Epstein (NYC), a 25-year-old Gen Zer, hosts "dinner parties for strangers" at Manhattan hotspots to break social barriers, while Ty and Felecia Freely (Brooklyn) organize "Lectures on Tap," using educational speeches at bars to draw "nerds" out of their apartments.
In 2024, Morimoto launched "People who don’t rent anything," a side business where he acts as a plus-one for shopping or gaming in exchange for just travel and food expenses.
Despite the bizarre requests and the heavy reality of his clients' lives, Morimoto claims his "do-nothing" lifestyle is the ultimate career win.
"I'm very happy," he told travel YouTuber Drew Binsky. "No stress."