Japan’s do-nothing guy- from
experiment to career
Imagine you get paid to do nothing, for merely existing, for your presence. What if
your career was just being there, doing nothing? Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it?
Well, there’s a man who does exactly that. Would you classify him as a lazy man
or a genius?
Shoji Morimoto, a 41 year-old man from Japan has made a career out of his mere
existence. He’s the guy with a unique profession who has left the world curious
and he is known as the “Rental Nothing Guy”. He is hired by various clients not
for any of his skills or his expertise but for his presence. He can sit with you in a
restaurant or cafeteria, accompany you on walks and just be there for you.
Shoji Morimoto started up this unique job of his in 2018 after quitting his job
because he felt he wasn’t enough. He was fed up of the constant pressure of having
to be useful and so he decided to experiment with himself. He started this service
to know whether or not there is any value of someone who does nothing. He was
inspired by his role model who also had a thinking quite similar to his. He charges
about 10,000 yen per session and is in high demand. Clients hire him to have a
companion, without having to bother themselves about making conversation or
being obligated to do anything. His silent presence has proved to be meaningful to
many as well as to himself. He found his value in simply being there for people.
His unusual service has evoked a feeling a gratitude in his clients. It highlights the
human need for connection. One of his clients had him say goodbye to them at the
train station when moving away. Many are accompanied by him on walks, meals
et. One of his clients says, “I would hesitate to ask my friends to go out due to a
certain place or time being inconvenient so I go with him instead.”. They feel
happy and relieved, not having to force themselves into any conversations.
His work is a very helpful human need which teaches us the importance of a
person’s presence.
It is clear that many people are amazed and in support of his service. So, possibly,
in the future there may be more people with similar services, helping to fulfill the
need for connection and companionship.
While many see Shoji’s services as a paid presence or simply renting company, it
is way more than just that. To many clients, being with him serves as a form of
seeking refuge from forced outings or what is expected of them.
His business, which is basically doing nothing may seem weird. He went from
being unhappy in his normal job to being satisfied with his present one.
This teaches us that the most important thing we can give each other is simply our
presence.
-484 words