Virtual girlfriends and pet rentals: what the reverse side of the Japanese economic miracle looks like

You can talk for hours about Japan, the land of sakura, robots and workaholics. The third largest economy in the world, the extraordinary development of technology, and at the same time, it is Japan that is the world's "leader" in the number of suicides. Why? One of the reasons, in addition to workaholism and professional burnout, is considered loneliness.

How do the Japanese solve these problems? 

Silicone dolls instead of live girls

The choice in favor of a silicone girlfriend is made most often by men who are disappointed in the relationship or can not find a chosen one. "Such a girl will not demand money and gifts, be jealous and make a row," - this is how the Japanese explain their decision.

Pet rental

For 10 years, pet rental has been one of the most popular services in Japan. The popularity of this service is quite understandable: small apartments (about 60 sq. m. m) they do not always allow you to have a pet, and there is not much time to take care of it due to a busy work schedule.

Hugs and conversations for money

"The greatest luxury is the luxury of human communication," said Antoine de Saint — Exupery. In Japan, they are willing to pay money for this luxury, and quite a lot. It is here that "enjo-kosai" (yap. 援助交際 — paid dating), a practice in which middle — aged and older men spend time with young women, buying their time with money or gifts, has long remained at the peak of popularity.

Virtual girlfriends

Japan's high technology allows people to make friends with characters from the virtual world. Such "girlfriends" are taken on dates, buy them gifts, get jealous and even marry them in special institutions: with a priest, witnesses, a birthday cake, and a virtual reality device.

Host clubs for finding princes

A post shared by Stef☆ (@seohyun_vip) on Nov 4, 2017 at 5:51am PDT

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In Japan, there are places where girls come to chat with hosts. Cute guys gallantly take care of the lady who chose them, support small talk, pour drinks and pour compliments.

Single girls visit host clubs to feel interesting and attractive. And some married ladies struggle with the family routine in such an unusual way.

Families for rent

Single Japanese people are happy to rent a wife and children, and not only for the" family " to meet them from work. Many people order a "family" for the weekend to walk with the " children "in the park and go shopping with the" wife". The service is not cheap (from $ 700 per hour), but, they say, there is no end of those who want it.

Love hotels with themed rooms

-any­way so I heard you like bdsm ‑I heard hel­lo kit­ty likes it too ;;) pic.twitter.com/IBWCyNyvOx

— (@hyvngwnho) September 22, 2016

Japan is a small country, so the apartments in it are tiny and very expensive. What should young couples do? Go to the "raba hotera" - hotels of love.

Such hotels exist so that couples who do not have their own accommodation can spend a few hours together. Here you can realize the wildest fantasies.