A woman has caused a stir on social media after revealing she rented a dad for a day to cure her ‘daddy issues’.
Tyen Rasif, 28, traveled from Singapore to Japan to hire a surrogate father and documented the experience in Tik Tok.
The singer and fitness instructor explained that her father “left” when she was 11 years old and that she has missed his father’s presence in her life ever since.
To find a similar connection elsewhere, Tyen took to the streets of Tokyo and rented a father-like figure for a day in exchange for money.
The experience was extremely positive for Tyen, and in the end, he felt like he had “found a father in Japan.”
Tyen Rasif (left) traveled from Singapore to Tokyo to spend the day with a rented father figure, Mr Notori (right).
The clip racked up more than two million views and now others want to follow in their footsteps.
Tyne’s desire to buy a company is nothing new in Japan, where there is an epidemic of loneliness, with 1.5 million people classified as social loners, according to a government survey.
‘I flew to Tokyo to meet my dad. In Japan you can rent a girlfriend, a boyfriend and even families,” Tyen explained in the clip.
And he added: “Since mine (his father) left when I was eleven, I rented from an old man.”
That man is Natori, a 63-year-old man who previously lived in Singapore and China but has since settled in Japan.
The couple enjoyed an intense day together.
‘We talked about what a normal father-daughter vacation would be like. We visited a temple, drank matcha and he gave me life advice,” Tyen said.
“I understand why you might be surprised by this, but after talking to him, I realized why services like this are so beneficial, especially in one of the loneliest countries in the world.”
The singer continued by asking Mr. Natori what is the strangest request he has received while at work.
He explained that the most unusual request came from an actress who hired him to sit in the stands and watch her show.
The couple spent the day doing typical father-daughter activities, such as visiting a temple and going to a coffee shop.
Tyen said: “When I was a child and saw my friend’s father watching his concerts, I can see how this is healing.”
Natori added that he chose to pursue this profession rather than retire because he would prefer to help others.
He explained that 20 percent of his clients are men who are looking for an older person to tour the city with because it makes them feel safer.
After a day full of activities, including divination at a Buddhist temple, the couple separated.
Tyen concluded: “Saying goodbye was very difficult, but it was comforting to have a father in Japan who I hope to meet again.”
The clip caused a storm on social media, with viewers taking to the comments section to explain their opinions on the service.
One said: ‘This sounds really good actually. As someone who has no contact with family, this could be very healing for people like me.”
A second added: “It doesn’t seem strange to me. I think it would help heal many of those who are working on the generational trauma that has to do with toxic parents.”
Viewers took to the comments section to share their thoughts on the concept and many were impressed.
‘Is this cheaper than therapy? Asking for a friend,’ said a third. A fourth added: “Ok I think this will definitely solve daddy issues.” I’m crying.’
Another added: “This is really healthy.” And beneficial for both parties. Bright!’.
It comes after a cafe in Japan created a workplace for elderly dementia patients – but the seemingly sweet concept has divided viewers online.
At Tokyo’s Café of Mistaken Orders, customers can expect to receive plates of food they never ordered, or no food at all, but mistakes are “accepted with compassion.”
On TikTok, a visitor named Myhlee shared images of the cafe, where viewers can see clips of elderly workers with dementia bringing food and hot drinks to patient customers.
The concept is not new to Japan, and the city has seen restaurants of a similar nature pop up across the country.
The idea has fascinated viewers and Myhlee’s video has since racked up almost two million views. But while many believe the idea is “sweet,” one deemed it “dystopian.”
Japan is currently grappling with a rapidly aging population and seniors are expected to make up a whopping 40 percent of the population around 2060.
The country is looking for ideas to support the aging population, including those with dementia and memory loss.
To help address part of the problem, one coffee shop has hired workers with the disease to bring productivity into their older years.
She explained: ‘Confusions are common here; Waiters bring the wrong order to your table, or don’t bring your order at all, but every mix-up is accepted with compassion.’
“This is a safe space where dementia patients can interact with new people and feel needed, which is important to slowing dementia, which has no cure.”