Japanese company thrives on renting out 'fake friends' to attend weddings
10 Jun 2009, 1413 Hrs

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London, Jun 10 Japan is witnessing the emergence of a new trend-hiring of "fake friends" or "work colleagues" or even "fake relatives" to attend ones wedding.

Japanese company, Office Agents, which is based in Tokyo, rents out these people to fill up the guest list, and one can hire an agent to attend the wedding as a guest at the price of 127 pounds.

And if a speech is required to be made by the hired guest, doling out an extra 64 pounds is all it will take, and if a song or dance were requested, the client would just have to pay 32 pounds.

The service is a favourite among brides and grooms who want to impress their prospective partners with their sheer volume of friends.

"We'll attend the wedding as your friend instead of your friend," the Telegraph quoted Hiroshi Mizutani, who heads Office Agents, as saying.

"Suddenly, a guest might not be able to make it. Or maybe you are concerned about the gap in the number of guests you have compared to your partner.

"Or, there are many temp workers these days and they may be uncomfortable inviting the boss," he said.

The service has also been boosted by the recession, as with unemployment rising and a growing number of Japanese in part time jobs, people rent fake bosses or colleagues to maintain an air of respectability, especially after they have lost their jobs.

The company also provides fake companions, stand-in lovers, pretend secretaries and distant relatives to attend events ranging from corporate functions and funerals to private events.

Mizutani described the necessary credentials his "fakers" are required to have.

"They are cheery and clean and look like they have regular jobs," he added. (ANI)

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