Japanese Company Does Thriving Trade In 'Fake Friends'

A Japanese company is renting out friends, work colleagues and even relatives.

For about $200, Tokyo-based 'Office Agents' will send one of its 'agents' to pose as part of your social circle, your partner, or even attend your wedding as a guest.

You can also request a heart-tugging speech for an extra $100 or a song or dance for another $50.

The company says that brides or grooms who want to impress their prospective partners with their sheer volume of friends are among those secretly padding the guest list with fakes.

It reports that the recession has also boosted its popularity since with unemployment rising and a growing number of Japanese in part time jobs, people are renting fake bosses or colleagues for their functions.

Others turning to the company for fake work-related guests are those who have recently lost their jobs but want to maintain an air of respectability, according to Hiroshi Mizutani, who heads up the company.

"We'll attend the wedding as your friend instead of your friend," says Mizutani.

"Suddenly, a guest might not be able to make it. Or maybe you are concerned about the gap in the number of guests you have compared to your partner. Or, there are many temp workers these days and they may be uncomfortable inviting the boss."

Stand-in lovers, pretend secretaries and distant relatives are among a cast the company can provide.

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