Japanese 'rent men' who are paid just to listen

This picture taken on May 23, 2016 shows Takanobu Nishimoto of "Ossan Rental" (Old Guy Rental) listening during an interview in Tokyo. - AFP

TOKYO: From lonely pensioners to Japanese schoolgirls with shattered dreams, Takanobu Nishimoto and his crew of middle-aged men will lend an ear to clients who would never dream of spilling their guts to a therapist or worse, their families.

Anyone in need of company can sign up to his online service to rent an “ossan” -- a man aged between 45 and 55 -- for 1,000 yen (RM38) an hour.