London:
Necessity is the mother of all inventions - the Japanese know it better.
Yes, in today's world, Japanese couples are so busy for a normal social life that they are increasingly relying on actors to play their friends on the most important days of their lives, 'The Daily Telegraph' reported.
And, several agencies have sprung up offering actors to the Japanese couples to attend weddings or even funerals - the first guest-for-hire company was established nine years ago and 10 now send out dozens of pretend friends to events.
Agencies such as Hagemashi Tai - which means "I want to cheer you up" - charge around 100 pounds for each "guest".
Other services such as giving a speech in praise of a bride or the groom cost extra, the report said.
The emergence of the small fake friends industry has been linked to social and economic changes in Japan. With lifetime employment a thing of the past, Japanese couples feel uncomfortable about inviting work colleagues to their wedding.
Increasingly busy and put upon, many Japanese surround themselves with only a very small circle of friends. When they marry, however, they are under pressure to match the number of their new partner's wedding guests.
Office Agents, the largest provider of friends, makes sure that its employees have done their homework and know all about the bride or groom before the wedding.
Hiroshi Mizutani, the company's founder, claimed he ensures that the fake friends he provides to the busy couples must look happy, be well dressed and look like people with good jobs.
Yes, in today's world, Japanese couples are so busy for a normal social life that they are increasingly relying on actors to play their friends on the most important days of their lives, 'The Daily Telegraph' reported.
And, several agencies have sprung up offering actors to the Japanese couples to attend weddings or even funerals - the first guest-for-hire company was established nine years ago and 10 now send out dozens of pretend friends to events.
Agencies such as Hagemashi Tai - which means "I want to cheer you up" - charge around 100 pounds for each "guest".
Other services such as giving a speech in praise of a bride or the groom cost extra, the report said.
The emergence of the small fake friends industry has been linked to social and economic changes in Japan. With lifetime employment a thing of the past, Japanese couples feel uncomfortable about inviting work colleagues to their wedding.
Increasingly busy and put upon, many Japanese surround themselves with only a very small circle of friends. When they marry, however, they are under pressure to match the number of their new partner's wedding guests.
Office Agents, the largest provider of friends, makes sure that its employees have done their homework and know all about the bride or groom before the wedding.
Hiroshi Mizutani, the company's founder, claimed he ensures that the fake friends he provides to the busy couples must look happy, be well dressed and look like people with good jobs.
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