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As Japan's cost of living rises, more seniors are staying in the workforce and thriving in order to supplement their income
In fact, according to the Statistics Bureau of Japan, nearly one in four people over 65 are still working, with over 9.3 million seniors remaining active post-retirement.
While this may seem worrying, one company is flipping the narrative and showing just how valuable Japan's grandmothers can be.
OK Obaachan is a service that has a "grandma" come right to your doorstep
For 3,300 yen an hour (plus 3,300 yen in transport fees), you can have a real Japanese grandma show up to share her wisdom, help around the house, or just keep you company.
Established in 2011, "OK Obaachan" literally means "OK Grandma". Their current roster features over 100 women aged 60 to 94, each with unique skills and lived experiences to offer.
Whether it's cooking lessons or learning how to write a proper thank-you card, these grandmas bring more than just traditional know-how. They bring heart.
You can request a grandma for just about anything. And we mean almost anything.
The OK Obaachan team says they've fulfilled a surprising variety of requests. Some popular ones include:
– Mediating awkward family conversations.
– Babysitting or reading to children.
– Sitting in during emotional romance breakups.
– Acting as a supportive figure during personal milestones.
They've also helped university students interview seniors for school projects on Japan's societal changes, straight from the source.
A YouTube video highlighted the rental service in Japan, and the reactions have been mixed
Watch the video here.
While the idea of "renting a grandma" might sound a little bizarre to some, it brings human connection and addresses ageism
For many, these women become pillars of support in situations where a little gentleness and age-old wisdom go a long way.
Some clients, especially those living far from their own families, find genuine emotional comfort in the presence of an OK Obaachan.
According to their website Client Partners, they don't believe that the ageing society is something to lament. They instead view the wisdom accumulated from living long as an asset to society.
The service is run by a women-only company that also offers rental friends and family
Client Partners is a company that connects women with flexible work based on their skills and interests.
They describe themselves as a "women-only handyman company", offering services like rental family members, rental friends, and now, rental grandmothers.
The idea? To give women of all ages more opportunities while reminding the world that care work and emotional labour are forms of power too.
