Interview vol.2
Yuichi Ishii Interview
Family Romance Edition
The full picture of a stand-in service supported by 500 monthly requests and 4,500 staff
Profile
Yuichi Ishii
CEO, Family Romance Inc.
Born in Tokyo in 1981. A pioneer in the human rental industry who founded 'Family Romance,' a company offering family stand-in services and more. Guided by the corporate slogan 'Joy Beyond the Real,' he analyzes and communicates insights about modern society and the psychology of stand-in service clients every day.
Dialogue
Please tell us about Family Romance's business in detail.
500 Diverse Requests Per Month
Our core business is "stand-in and proxy attendance services," currently handling approximately <strong>500 requests per month</strong>.
Main Service Lineup
【Family Stand-in】
We stand in for any family role: father, mother, husband, wife, siblings, children, grandparents, and more.
【Weddings & Funerals】
Proxy attendance at wedding ceremonies, receptions, after-parties, and funerals. Over 3,000 events completed.
【Friends & Partners】
Friend stand-in, rental boyfriend/girlfriend, social media "life flexing" stand-in (accompanying for photo shoots), and more.
【Business】
Audience stand-in for seminars/lectures, apology stand-in, business entertainment stand-in, and more.
【Emotional Support】
Listening service, conversation partner, marathon cheering stand-in, and more.
Corporate Philosophy: "Joy Beyond the Real"
Even without blood ties, providing joy greater than that of real family or friends through heartfelt service -- that is our philosophy.
"You're not family if you're not related by blood" -- we want to break that fixed notion. Adoptive families, step families, and our family rental service. The forms may differ, but with genuine care, you can become a "real family." That is what we believe.
Tell us about the pricing.
From Casual to Advanced Services
Our most affordable option starts at <strong>8,000 yen for 2 hours</strong>.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Basic Stand-in | From 8,000 yen/2hr |
| Family Stand-in | 20,000 yen/4hr |
| Wedding Proxy | 10,000 yen/person |
| Apology Stand-in | ~100,000 yen/case |
Value Beyond the Price
Some may feel the prices are high at first glance. But what we provide is not just "time."
For example, wedding proxy attendance. It's not just sitting there -- natural conversation with other guests, congratulatory words for the couple, behavior that enlivens the atmosphere -- it's a meticulously calculated service.
And above all, being a <strong>source of emotional support for the client</strong>. That is the true value we provide.
What kind of people mainly use your services?
People of All Ages with Various Struggles
Different demographics use our services depending on the type.
Single mothers (~30)
Women who want a real father figure to be present for their child. Kindergarten interviews, elementary school sports days, Father's Day events -- they request a rental father so their child won't feel left out for "not having a dad."
Men in their 60s
Men who lost their wives and are mentally devastated. They rent a wife and daughter for emotional healing. "I want to visit places that were special to my wife together" or "I want to regain the feeling of talking with a daughter" -- a form of grief care.
Young people in their 20s
They use our friend service to upload photos on social media and be recognized by many people, driven by the need for validation. Even if real friendships are few, they want to look popular online -- a uniquely modern demand.
Single men in their 50s
When invited to family gatherings, they bring a rental girlfriend to avoid questions like "Still not married?" They may actually want to get married but prefer being alone for now -- a complex inner state.
LGBTQ+ individuals in their 30s
Unable to come out at work or to relatives, they use our service when they need to bring an opposite-sex partner. A heartfelt request to protect themselves from society's intolerance.
Everyone has some kind of struggle, and because they cannot solve it on their own, people of all ages and backgrounds need our services.
How many staff do you have? What kind of people are they?
Over 4,500 Diverse Individuals
Currently, we have <strong>over 4,500 staff members</strong> nationwide.
"Ordinary People" Who Power Our Service
An important point: <strong>the majority of our staff are not actors</strong>. Rather, they are "ordinary people" with diverse backgrounds.
A doctor (male)
Works as a husband stand-in and rental boyfriend as a side job. His calm demeanor and intellectual conversation skills, befitting a medical professional, keep requests coming.
An underground idol (female)
A unique career combining idol activities with Muay Thai. Her bright and energetic personality shines in friend stand-in and party attendance roles.
An elderly produce shop worker
Usually works at a produce shop but is extremely popular as a grandparent stand-in. The warmth based on real life experience heals clients' hearts.
Care workers, office workers, homemakers, students
Staff with truly diverse backgrounds are active in our service.
From Newborns to 85-Year-Olds
Our age range spans from <strong>newborns (for child stand-in requests) to 85-year-olds (for parent stand-ins and peer conversation partners)</strong>. We have people of all ages and backgrounds.
For babies, a guardian naturally accompanies them. For example, we handle requests from single individuals who want to "bring a grandchild to a family gathering."
Ranking System
Staff have <strong>ranks from F to SSS</strong>, advancing based on experience and ability.
Higher ranks bring higher compensation and more challenging assignments.
Not Acting, but "Sincerity"
Some join to study acting, but many participate because they "want to help others" or "want to make a difference."
What we provide is not "acting" but "sincerity."
That's why you don't need to be an actor. In fact, being an "ordinary person" is a strength. Sometimes acting that's too polished looks unnatural. The natural behavior of ordinary people looks the most "real."
What is the most requested "role"?
Wedding Proxy Attendance Is #1
The most common request is "wedding proxy attendance." We have <strong>over 3,000 completed events</strong>. While we fill roles such as friends, colleagues, and relatives, friend roles are the most requested.
Common Reasons for Requests
- •Wanting to balance the number of guests with the other side
- •Friends are too far away to attend
- •A remarriage where past relationships are hard to invite
- •Thin workplace relationships, unable to invite colleagues
- •Lost touch with school friends
The loneliness of modern society is condensed here.
The Deep Meaning of Father Stand-ins
The second most common is "family stand-in," particularly <strong>father stand-ins</strong>.
Many requests come from single-mother households wanting a "real father" present for their children.
I myself continue to serve as a rental father for multiple families. <strong>35 children across 23 families believe I am their real father</strong>. To them, I am undeniably "Dad."
Running together at sports day, watching a child raise their hand at parent visit day, encouraging them the night before an exam -- these are unmistakably "fatherly" roles. Even without a blood connection, in those moments, I am truly "Dad."
Are there any rules between clients and stand-ins?
Privacy Protection
Clients are <strong>not allowed</strong> to investigate the stand-in's private information. Knowing contact information or address could lead to trouble.
All communication goes through our company. We don't reveal staff members' real names to clients either. This protects staff safety and separates the "character" from the real person.
Security Rules
For security reasons, <strong>when using only one female stand-in, private spaces like homes or cars are not allowed</strong>. If two or more stand-ins are present, private spaces are acceptable.
This is an important rule to protect female staff. There haven't been past incidents, but we enforce this as a preventive measure.
Physical Contact Limits
Physical contact is <strong>allowed up to holding hands</strong>, but hugging or any sexual behavior is prohibited to prevent trouble.
In family stand-in cases, children may hug you, which is accepted naturally. But excessive physical contact from adult clients is prohibited.
Even when playing "family" or "partner," we are providing an appropriate professional service.
Contract Duration and Termination
Even with long-term contracts, clients can terminate at any time. However, when children are involved, we consider the child's emotional wellbeing and end naturally with stories like "Dad moved far away."
Rather than suddenly disappearing, ending in a way the child can accept -- that is our responsibility.
The People Behind Family Romance
What this interview reveals is that Family Romance is not just a "stand-in service" but a complex, delicate "platform for human relationships" supported by over 4,500 diverse individuals.
Doctors, idols, produce shop workers -- each with their own primary occupation, they serve as staff driven by the desire to "help someone."
And behind the 500 monthly requests, there are individual lives, individual struggles, and individual circumstances.
Free Consultation & Quote
Consultations are completely free and strictly confidential.
For urgent inquiries, please call us at {phone}.0120-949-341