Shoji Morimoto’s Unconventional Career: Renting Himself Out to Do Nothing
Shoji Morimoto, a 41-year-old father of a seven-year-old, has turned his life around after being fired from his office job in 2018. His new career involves renting himself out to strangers who seek someone’s company for almost anything at all. Morimoto, known as the “rental do nothing guy” in Japan, has become a lucrative career out of doing nothing.
His day job involves showing up and “doing nothing” other than what he was asked to do, except sex. He has been put in various situations, such as standing in line under the blazing sun, standing for hours in the freezing cold, attending parties with only strangers, and standing alone on a stage in front of a large audience without doing anything.
Morimoto’s longest one-off task was a 17-hour trip sitting on the same rail line, end to end, from early morning until the last train. He has also been a listening ear on clients’ bad days, offering the bare minimum and simplest of answers. He does not play therapist and charges a voluntary fee, which can range from 10,000 yen to 30,000 yen ($65 to $195) for a two- to three-hour session.
Morimoto receives about 1,000 requests per year and has earned around $80,000 last year. His goal is not to make a living or sustain himself but to “simply live life and enjoy it.” He has introduced a pay-as-you-wish model late last year, which he believes is sustainable.
In an unusual job, Morimoto has become a popular choice for those who want to enjoy activities in a social setting without being judged for going solo. He has even accompanied clients to a piglet cafe in Tokyo, where customers can sip on a drink and interact with litters of piglets.
Experts believe that Morimoto’s services cater to the recent needs of Japanese people, who do not seek love or marriage and do not want the hassle of such relationships but want someone they can casually go on dates with or have dinner with. While loneliness may be a reason for some, it’s not the only one, as some individuals may just be socially awkward or uncomfortable with confrontation.
Morimoto’s presence serves as a security blanket of sorts, temporarily socializing those who are uncomfortable in certain settings. He has received requests for various tasks, including sitting in a corner of a cafe while a client serves divorce papers to her husband. His presence gives the client an extra dose of courage and helps her feel more secure.
Morimoto’s unconventional career has given him a sense of purpose and happiness. He believes that there is nothing else he truly wanted to do and is content with his unusual job.