Money can buy you friendship in Japan

Posted By Joshua Keating Monday, September 21, 2009 - 10:43 AM Share

In Japan, it's becoming increasingly popular to hire actors to fill out the crowd at events like weddings and funerals:

Agencies such as Hagemashi Tai - which means "I want to cheer you up" - charge around £100 for each "guest". Other services such as giving a speech in praise of a bride or the groom cost extra. [...]
Office Agents, the largest provider of pretend 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, said the fake friends he provides must look happy, be well dressed and look like people with good jobs.

EXPLORE:EAST ASIA, CULTURE

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12:16 PM ET

September 22, 2009

There are a lot of messed up

There are a lot of messed up things going on in Japan. Did you know that 1/5 30 year olds in Japan are virgins. Look it up.
certificate of deposit
high yield savings accounts
Cheers.

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