ABOUT US
Company
Since 2004, we have been giving shape to what society wishes existed.
22yrs
Years since founding
5,000+
Registered staff
100,000+
Total cases handled
Our Philosophy
Since 2004
Not a "role" — an "experience."
Joy beyond the real.
Our mission is to carry a part of our clients’ lives and provide value that surpasses the real. Filling emotional gaps and creating energy for tomorrow — that is what drives us.
Toward a society free of loneliness.
We aim to be a "family-like" presence anyone can rely on and build a new social infrastructure where people help each other. Our ultimate goal is for clients to "graduate" from our services.
Sincerity from our staff.
We provide "sincerity," not "acting." Our staff are ordinary people — doctors, homemakers, students — who pass rigorous screening and deliver natural, seamless experiences.
CEO Message
In 2004, when I was 24, a single-mother friend asked me to pose as her husband for a kindergarten entrance exam. That moment changed my life.
Why should a child's future be closed off simply because they have a single parent? I founded Family Romance to fill this kind of social gap.
Today I continue as a stand-in father for 23 families. 35 children believe I am their real father. We provide not "acting" but "sincerity" — that is why most of our staff are ordinary people, not professional actors.
Our ultimate goal is for clients to "graduate" from our services — to heal, regain confidence, and build real relationships. Until the day such a service is no longer needed, we will keep filling the gaps in society.
— CEO Yuichi Ishii
Organization
5,000+ Staff
Diverse talent across all 47 prefectures
EXECUTIVE
Management
Corporate Planning
Strategy & Growth
Legal & Compliance
NDA · Ethics · Risk
PR & Media
Branding & Press
Service Development
Innovation & DX
Casting
Staff Matching
Area Management
47 Prefectures
Quality Assurance
Screening & Review
Client Support
24/7 Response
Information Security
Privacy Protection
CAST NETWORK
5,000+
All 47 prefectures · Ages 0 to 85
Working at Family Romance
We offer a unique work environment where every day brings new encounters and personal growth.
Flexible Work Style
All staff work on contract. You can choose assignments as a side job while keeping your main career. From once a week to a few times a month — flexible to your lifestyle.
Daily Payment
Payment is transferred the next business day after completion. Each assignment has clear compensation, so you can accept with confidence. Transportation costs are covered separately.
Diverse Assignments
From wedding friend roles to elderly companionship to corporate event audiences. No two requests are the same. Every assignment brings new encounters and experiences.
Team Support
Experienced staff accompany you on your first assignment. HQ staff are always available for questions. You never face challenges alone — we support clients as a team.
Growth Environment
Interpersonal skills, situational judgment, acting ability — skills gained here benefit your main career too. "Understanding people's feelings" is a universal ability.
Safe Management
For difficult assignments or trouble, HQ responds 24/7. We prioritize staff safety above all in our operations.
Our Commitment to Quality
Every assignment is unique. Here is how we ensure the highest quality in every interaction.
Quality First
Full commitment to every request.
Thorough Listening
We start by deeply understanding the client's situation. For a wedding friend role, we learn the client's hobbies, speech habits, and shared memories. We build natural relationships so no one feels "a stranger is playing the part." Each request involves 2-3 hours of pre-meeting preparation on average.
- Average 2-3 hours pre-meeting
- Personality & habit matching
- Customized backstory creation
NDA & Screening
All staff sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) during the registration process. We verify identity and conduct interviews before approval. Staff who do not meet our standards are not registered. This screening process is the foundation of the trust we have built over 22 years.
- NDA signed at registration
- Identity verification & interview
- 22 years of zero information leaks
Confidentiality & Trust
The lifeline of stand-in services is keeping secrets. All staff sign NDAs. Information learned during assignments is never leaked. Emails and photos taken during work are deleted the same day. Social media posting is strictly prohibited. This thorough information management is why we have zero "discovered" reports in 22 years.
- NDA with all staff
- Same-day data deletion
- 22 years with zero leaks
Tailored to Each Individual
We never follow a manual. Every client's situation is different, making each assignment fully custom. For a father stand-in, we adjust age setting, occupation setting, and speaking tone. Our goal is for everyone around to naturally accept "this person is real family" — each staff member prepares with full seriousness.
- Fully custom per assignment
- Age, career & speech tuning
- Natural acceptance as the goal
Corporate Responsibility
We uphold the highest standards of ethics, safety, and transparency as a pioneer in the stand-in service industry.
Trust & Ethics
Maintaining trust is our foundation.
Anti-Social Forces Policy
We have a zero-tolerance policy toward antisocial forces. All staff and clients undergo screening, and we immediately terminate any relationship if connections to organized crime are discovered.
Information Security
All staff sign NDAs. Emails and photos obtained during assignments are deleted on the same day. We never share client information between assignments or with third parties.
Ethical Guidelines
We decline any requests that involve illegal activities, deception that could cause harm, or services that conflict with public order. Our ethics committee reviews borderline cases.
Staff Screening
All staff undergo identity verification, background checks, and interviews before registration. Ongoing evaluations ensure quality is maintained throughout their tenure.
Staff Wellbeing
Staff safety comes first. We provide 24/7 support for any issues during assignments. Psychological care is available for staff handling emotionally demanding cases.
Work Style Reform
All staff work on a freelance contract basis, choosing their own schedules and assignments. We support diverse work styles — from students to retirees, full-time workers to stay-at-home parents.
Our Pledge for a Clean Industry
As the pioneer and largest company in Japan's stand-in service industry, we bear the responsibility of setting standards for the entire sector. We actively advocate for industry-wide adoption of ethical guidelines, information security protocols, and client protection measures.
We believe that maintaining trust is not optional — it is the foundation of everything we do. A service built on deception cannot itself be deceptive.
Company Profile
Family Romance Inc.
Pioneer of the stand-in industry
| Company Name | Family Romance Inc. |
|---|---|
| Representative | CEO Yuichi Ishii |
| Address | 2-7-4 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0064, Japan |
| Founded | 2004 (including sole proprietorship) |
| Employees | 5,000+ (including contract staff) |
| Phone | 0120-949-341(Toll-free)/03-6426-0572 |
| Business | Family, friend, partner, wedding, funeral, apology, business stand-ins, mental care, accompaniment services, and more |
| Media | Cannes Film Festival, and 200+ domestic/international media features |
History
22 Years of History
A story that began with one encounter
Founded
CEO Yuichi Ishii, then 24, launched a stand-in service after helping a single-mother friend with a kindergarten entrance exam. The concept of "family stand-ins" did not yet exist in Japan.
Service Expansion
Launched wedding proxy attendance. Expanded to friend, partner, and business stand-ins. Monthly requests surpassed 100.
Media Spotlight
Featured on major domestic and international media outlets. Stand-in services became a social phenomenon and gained wide recognition.
Cannes Film Festival
Werner Herzog's film "Family Romance, LLC" premiered at Cannes. CEO Ishii starred as himself, drawing worldwide attention.
Book Published
"The Human Rental Shop" (Tetsujinsha) by Yuichi Ishii published. Features 30 episodes carefully selected from 13,000 requests.
5,000 Staff Milestone
Registered cast exceeded 5,000 covering all 47 prefectures. Monthly requests surpassed 500. Cumulative cases exceeded 100,000.
NEXT STAGE
Exploring AI integration and global expansion while staying true to our core: delivering warmth that only humans can provide.
Access
2-7-4 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0064
Yurikamome Line
Tokyo International Cruise Terminal Sta.
5 min walk
Yurikamome Line
Telecom Center Sta.
4 min walk
Rinkai Line
Tokyo Teleport Sta.
12 min walk
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Are your staff professional actors?
No. Most of our staff are ordinary people — doctors, office workers, homemakers, students. We provide "sincerity," not "acting." Ages range from 0 to 85, with over 5,000 members nationwide.
Q2. Has a stand-in ever been discovered?
Fortunately, there have been no such reports to date. This is thanks to thorough preparation for each assignment and the adaptability of our experienced staff.
Q3. Can you handle long-term requests?
Yes — from one-time requests to assignments spanning over 10 years. CEO Ishii continues as a stand-in father for 23 families; 35 children believe he is their real father.
Q4. Can you accept requests from anywhere in Japan?
Yes. We accept stand-in requests from all 47 prefectures. Staff are stationed nationwide, and we operate 24/7, 365 days a year.
Free Consultation & Quote
Consultations are completely free and strictly confidential.
For urgent inquiries, please call us at {phone}.0120-949-341
Why This Service Is Needed
Why We Exist
Filling the gaps in society.
In a society where the very concept of "family" is transforming, over 500 people each month turn to us for help. We exist to fill these social gaps — with sincerity, not acting.
250K/yr
Divorces (1 every 2 min)
28.3%
Male unmarried rate at 50
500+
Monthly requests