"Scary Tattooed Man Rental Service" Emerges in Japan
"Useful" vs "Isn't This the Yakuza?"... Heated Debate
In Japan, a so-called "Scary Person Rental Service" has emerged, heating up online discussions. The concept involves a menacing-looking individual with tattoos appearing at the customer's request to resolve difficult situations. However, the company emphasizes that no actual violence is involved. While some people found the service intriguing, others criticized it, questioning whether it is essentially the same as the Yakuza.
190,000 won for 30 minutes... Resolving workplace bullying and even infidelity
A Japanese company is gaining attention online by offering a so-called "Scary Person Rental Service" that helps customers solve various problems. An image to aid understanding of the article. Pixabay
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on September 8, the service gained attention after a Japanese internet user captured the service's website and posted it on social networking services (SNS) on August 28. The post quickly garnered more than 300,000 likes, drawing widespread interest.
Known as the "Scary Person Rental Service," this offering provides staff with intimidating appearances, such as tattoos, who accompany clients in specific situations upon request. The company draws a clear line, stating, "We only create an atmosphere that suggests potential for violence, but no actual illegal acts are committed." It is also specified that if an illegal request is made, the service will be immediately terminated.
The company promotes "swift and effective problem-solving" as its main advantage. For example, staff may act as a close friend beside an employee who is being bullied at work to put an end to the situation, or accompany a client confronting a spouse's affair partner to encourage a confession. The fee is 20,000 yen (approximately 190,000 won) for 30 minutes, and 50,000 yen (about 470,000 won) for three hours.
"Useful service" vs. "How is this different from the Yakuza?"... Heated debate
Japanese internet users were divided in their reactions. Some commented, "It seems useful because it reflects human nature to prey on the weak and fear the strong," "It looks fine since it helps customers avoid being intimidated," and "The best part of this service is not that it scares others, but that it helps people feel less afraid because of others, enabling them to solve their own problems."
On the other hand, criticisms included, "Ultimately, it uses intimidation as a means, so I wonder if it's legal," "How is this different from the Yakuza?" "It's even more dangerous to believe that a 30-minute service can solve life's problems," and "People should solve their own problems; it's pathetic."
Meanwhile, the service was suddenly suspended on August 31. The company did not disclose the reason, but online speculation suggests it may have lacked the necessary business permits.
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