Rental Person Who Does Nothing by Shoji Morimoto – today, I’m starting a ‘rent a person who does nothing service’ … Except for very simple conversation, I’m afraid I can do nothing!
Shoji Morimoto was frequently told that he lacked initiative and was, therefore, a “Do Nothing”!
Dejected and unemployed, it suddenly occurred to him that, if his outstanding talent was “doing nothing”, maybe he could set himself up in business? Therefore, with just one tweet, he began his business………..renting himself out – to do nothing!
Morimoto, aka rental person, provides a captivating, and extraordinary, service to those who are lonely and socially anxious. As his business grew, he gradually realised that there are many important things that can preferably be talked about to a person you don’t know very well. This person needs to be non-judgemental and a good listener. He became that person – dependable, and committed to remaining a stranger.
His clients are many and varied. Some are lonely after the loss of a family member, or close friend, and need company to go out into the world again to visit a favourite place or attend an event.
Others may need a stranger to accompany them on a journey or to the hospital, if they are feeling nervous.
The stories he narrates of these extraordinary encounters reveal much about Japanese society itself, and human psychology in general.
What an absolutely brilliant concept!
The perfect companion!
Different, unusual, and incredibly interesting, it begs the question – will there be more “rental persons, who do nothing” worldwide in the future? Let us hope so, as they are much-needed in today’s society, unfortunately!
Rental Person Who Does Nothing: A Memoir is a highly interesting must-read for the year!
ISBN:9781035012817
Rental Person Who Does Nothing is available in paperback and e-book.
About Shoji Morimoto
Shoji Morimoto was born in 1984. He began working as a rental person who does nothing in 2018 and has since been hired by more than 4,000 people. He’s been profiled by many media outlets worldwide and has written several books including Rental Person Who Does Nothing, which inspired a Japanese TV series. Morimoto lives in Japan with his wife and son.
