Rent a Grumpy: Why Young Japanese People Do They Hire Old People? (7 photos)

For the Japanese, respect for elders is far from an empty phrase. Since ancient times, it has been customary in Nippon to listen to the opinions of elders and take into account their rich life experience. But what if you're a young Japanese person and don't have a wise grandfather? A new service launched in the Land of the Rising Sun solves this problem.





For a young Japanese person, it's crucial to have someone nearby who will say, "Pull yourself together, puppy! Don't disgrace my gray hair!" That's why Ossan Rental's elderly car rental service in Japan is in high demand. For a fee, the rented old man will not only "drink blood," grumble, and tell stories about how he single-handedly attacked Pearl Harbor with a katana, but will also be able to offer practical life advice to young, inexperienced individuals.

The website offering this interesting service also states that, by arrangement, you can have drinks with the elderly man or take him along to a group of friends to entertain them with stories.



Ossan Rental was founded in 2016 by 65-year-old Takanobu Nishimoto, a former baseball player, and his friend Mikio Sendou, a designer. The idea to open a company whose name literally translates as "Rental for the Elderly" arose after a conversation about how to ensure a comfortable retirement without overworking themselves.

After analyzing the market, the two friends realized that the best way to work was to give advice to others, if they needed it, of course. Beyond material gain, Takanobu and Mikio also pursued a noble goal: restoring the former respect for the elderly.





Despite the fact that respect for elders is deeply rooted in the Japanese culture, in recent years there has been a tendency to view the elderly with a certain condescension. The younger generation makes fun of the technological backwardness of older people, their manner of dress and speech, their views, and their hobbies.

The creators of the Ossan Rental project challenge stereotypes and prove that it's too early to write off older people. A grandfather ordered to your home will not only help you have a good time, but also provide moral support in difficult situations and practical advice.



At the beginning, the entrepreneurs weren't entirely clear on what services would be included or how much they would cost. But now, two years into the business, Takanobu and Mikio have a good understanding of what's in demand among young people and how to approach different types of clients.

Among the most popular services, the following deserve special mention:

A trip to a bar or a dinner party at home, with drinks, jokes, and stories;

Be a shoulder to cry on, listen to complaints about an unfair life, and offer wise sensei advice;

A tour of one of the city's districts, showing off its interesting spots, including its hot spots;

Help around the house—fixing things with a detailed explanation of how it's done and a subsequent "celebration" of the work;

Waiting in line, for example, for an iPhone or a concert ticket, while the client is working or relaxing;

Assistance in obtaining temporary residence permits for foreigners.



There are also some less standard requests. The owners of the "Rent Old People" company consider the following to be the most interesting:

Attending a party as a guest, steeped in old-man sarcasm;

Doing homework with a child;

Playing the role of a stern father to a young man or his girlfriend to teach the youth not to back down from stern elders;

Providing an unbiased third-party opinion on talents or work performed.

The cheapest and most popular service is simply chatting about life. This pleasure will cost the customer 1,000 yen.



Ossan Rental's short history also saw some rather sad requests. Once, a widow booked a grandfather to talk to him about her late husband. Another sad call was for a terminally ill woman who couldn't eat properly. She bought delicacies and sweets, and the company employee had to try them in front of her and describe his feelings.



The company employs not just one or two travel-weary old men, but a whole team. On the company's website, you can choose a senior citizen by viewing their photo and biography. Ossan Rental's work is already well-known not only in Japan but also abroad—its successes are followed by people around the world. Many of them believe the company has done a great deal to preserve the prestige of senior citizens, and not just in Japan.