News On Japan

In Japan, people are renting "handsome weeping boys" to wipe away tears

The service offers customers access to a diverse array of "Ikemeso boys," meticulously selected and presented in an online catalogue.

Nov 22, 2023 (ndtv.com) - Tokyo offices are experiencing an unconventional approach to ease workplace stress. At a cost of 7,900 yen, roughly ₹ 4,400, people in Japan can access the services of Ikemeso Danshi, providing attractive companions referred to as "Handsome Weeping Boys."

Apart from their superficial appeal, these professionals who wipe tears are challenging societal norms by providing comfort through shared tears and establishing emotional connections in the workplace.

Hiroki Terai conceived Ikemeso Danshi after witnessing the profound impact of collective weeping, leading him to enter the industry. This distinctive initiative, founded on the principle of rui-katsu or "tear-seeking," aims to establish an environment where emotional expression is not merely tolerated but embraced and honoured.

The service offers customers access to a diverse array of "Ikemeso boys," meticulously selected and presented in an online catalogue. From the rugged 'Showa face adult Ikemeso boy' to the refined 'healing Mista-Tokyo Ikemeso boy,' each professional is adept at gently wiping tears, participating in communal sobbing sessions, and even watching poignant videos until emotions are expressed.

Apart from Ikemeso Danshi, Tokyo has seen a rise in similar ventures, including non-sexual cuddling sessions and rent-a-friend services, the media outlet reported. ...continue reading

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

Typhoon No. 30 is continuing to strengthen as it moves west across the western Pacific, with forecasts indicating it could develop into a very strong typhoon by October 19 before reaching waters south of Okinawa on October 21, raising concerns about its potential impact on Japan. At 9 p.m. on October 16, Typhoon No. 30 was located near Truk, moving west at approximately 20 kilometers per hour.

Burger King Japan has announced that approximately 11.18 million records containing personal information of its official app members were leaked following unauthorized access to its systems between October 2 and October 7.

Japan's first Disney cruise ship will be named "Disney Imagination," with Oriental Land and its partners planning to launch the service in spring 2029, offering a new Disney-themed travel experience departing from Tokyo.

Tokyo's 23 wards have decided to establish a new small-scale public crematorium to address rising fees at privately operated facilities and growing concerns that cremation capacity could become insufficient around 2040 as the city's aging population drives up the number of deaths.

Japan is facing a growing wave of cyberattacks as advances in artificial intelligence remove the language barrier that once made Japanese companies difficult targets for overseas hackers, with more than 68 million personal records potentially exposed in a series of security incidents over the past two weeks.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Business NEWS

Japanese stocks rebounded sharply on October 16, with the Nikkei 225 closing 898 points higher at 65,324, a gain of 1.39%, as investors returned to technology, semiconductor and financial shares following six consecutive sessions of losses. The recovery came after a dramatic sell-off the previous day, when the benchmark plunged 3,318 points, its third-largest point decline on record, reflecting growing concerns about the sustainability of global artificial intelligence investment and its impact on corporate earnings.

Tokyo stocks suffered one of their steepest declines on October 15, with the Nikkei 225 plunging 3,318 points, or 4.90%, to close at 64,426, its third-largest point decline on record, as a global selloff in artificial intelligence and semiconductor shares intensified over concerns about rising U.S. interest rates and the financial sustainability of debt-funded AI investment.

Panasonic has announced a recall of approximately 640,000 drum-type washer-dryers after identifying a defect in their automatic detergent dispensing tanks that could cause electrical wiring to deteriorate and potentially catch fire.

Tokyo stocks edged lower on October 14, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 67,744, down 33 points, as an early rebound in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related shares faded late in the session before the release of U.S. inflation data.

Japanese family restaurant chain Saizeriya has announced its first major price increase since going public in 1998, raising menu prices by an average of 6% from October 29 as soaring ingredient and energy costs force the company to abandon its longstanding policy of keeping prices unchanged.

Japan is expected to fall from fourth to sixth place in the global economic rankings in 2027, overtaken by India and the United Kingdom, according to the latest economic outlook from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), reflecting sluggish domestic growth and the continued weakness of the yen.

East Japan Railway (JR East) is preparing to enter Japan's fiercely competitive mobile payment market with the launch of teppay on October 20, introducing a new QR code payment service through its Mobile Suica platform and potentially tapping into a customer base of 45 million Suica users.

Japan's Fair Trade Commission plans to issue cease-and-desist orders against six construction companies, including firms affiliated with Japan Railways, over repeated bid-rigging in maintenance contracts for Tokyo's Toei subway network and other railway lines, with five companies facing surcharges totaling approximately 500 million yen.