March 15, 20248 min read
Who Am I Really?The Boundary of Identity
Playing father to 25 families, I sometimes lose track of who I really am.
IdentitySelf-DiscoveryPhilosophy
Yuichi Ishii's ThoughtsBlog
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Blog
Thoughts and reflections from years
as a human rental professional.
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March 8, 20247 min read
The Agony of Hiding the Truth from ChildrenThe Guilt of Lying
Should I tell the children the truth, or keep up the happy lie?
GuiltDeceptionMoral Dilemma
February 28, 20246 min read
A Child's Tears at Parting"Why Do You Have to Leave?"
When a 6-year-old asked me this, I was lost for words.
PartingChild PsychologyEmotion
February 20, 20249 min read
Questioning the Authenticity of LoveThe Line Between Real and Performed Emotion
There are moments when performed affection becomes genuine love.
Genuine LovePerformanceTruth
February 12, 20248 min read
Professional Ethics vs. EmotionWhy I Turned Down 150 Proposals
Watching her cry and say "I really want to marry you," I felt the difficulty of drawing the professional line.
ProposalEthicsBoundaries
February 5, 20247 min read
Switching from Role to RealityAfter Work, Coming Home
Sometimes I wonder if even watching TV at home is another act.
RealityRole SwitchingSolitude
January 28, 202410 min read
If the Emotion Is Real, Then It Is RealWhat Is "Real"?
Love for a child, devotion to a wife, a sense of family responsibility — even if they begin as performance, they can become real.
AuthenticityTruthPhilosophical Reflection
March 10, 20249 min read
They Believe I Am Their Real FatherMy 35 Children
Currently, 35 children believe I am their real father. Each family has a different story.
35 ChildrenFatherhoodFamily Bond
March 3, 20248 min read
Watching a Child Grow from Kindergarten to Junior High8 Years as a Father
The longest relationship I've maintained is 8 years. I continue to watch that child grow.
8 YearsGrowthContinuity
February 25, 20247 min read
What Will I Say When That Day Arrives?The Truth Will Come
Someday I may have to tell the children the truth. What should I say?
TruthFutureConfession
February 18, 20246 min read
Sharing Joy and TearsWatching a Child Grow
The smile when they win first place at sports day, the tears when they fail a test — every moment is precious.
GrowthJoyMemories
February 10, 20248 min read
Parents Day, Sports Day, Parent-Teacher ConferencesThe Trial of School Events
School events are the ultimate test of my acting as a real father. Conversations with other parents are part of the job.
School EventsActingParental Responsibility
March 5, 202410 min read
Each with Different Circumstances600 Wives
Over 600 women have hired me as a rental husband. Each has her own reasons and background.
600 WivesDiversityWomen's Stories
February 22, 20247 min read
The Reasons Behind the RequestsWhy Rent a Husband?
Business dinners, relatives' weddings, children's school events — there are more situations requiring a husband than you'd think.
ReasonsBusinessSocial Pressure
February 15, 20248 min read
Between Performance and Real FeelingThe Emotional Boundary
Playing the husband role, I sometimes find myself genuinely caring for the wife.
Emotional BoundaryReal EmotionEthics
February 8, 20246 min read
Drawing the Line to Prevent DependencyThe Courage to Say No
When declining a proposal, I do my utmost not to hurt the client's feelings. But the line must be drawn.
Saying NoDependency PreventionBoundaries
January 30, 20249 min read
When Every Guest Is an ActorA Wedding with Only Stand-ins
All of the couple's friends were rentals. I've experienced a wedding where every attendee was acting.
WeddingStand-in ServiceAll Acting
February 26, 202412 min read
30,000 Lonely Deaths per YearJapan: A Nation of Loneliness
Japan is one of the world's loneliest nations. This is why our service is needed.
Lonely DeathSocial IssuesAging Society
February 19, 202410 min read
The Pressure to Be NormalThe Curse of Appearances
Japanese society's pressure to be 'normal' causes immense suffering. Our service exists to ease that pressure.
Social ExpectationsSocial PressureStandard Family
February 13, 20248 min read
The Stigma Around Emotional IssuesCan't Talk About Mental Health
In Japan, talking about mental health is incredibly difficult. As a result, we become the safety net.
Mental HealthStigmaNo One to Talk To
February 6, 202411 min read
A World That Doesn't Need Stand-in ServicesThe Road to an Ideal Society
My ultimate goal is for my own job to become unnecessary. Toward a society where no one feels alone.
Ideal SocietyFutureHope
"I put what I feel in the field into words.Yuichi Ishii — The Human Rental Man
If it resonates with someone, that would make me happy."
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Articles chronicling the daily life
of a human rental professional are updated regularly.