Inside Lens S2018E23 - HAPPIER THAN REAL

Some people in Japan are trying to find happiness through surrogacy services. One agency rents out "significant others." A retired man hires a rental wife and children in order to relieve his loneliness. A young man hires a girlfriend, so he can practice going on dates. People can be hired to play a variety of roles, and demand is on the rise. There are others who try to create happy memories through another form of surrogacy. They send their stuffed animals on trips organized by a special travel agency. To help maintain their long-distance relationship, a young man and his girlfriend send their white teddy bears on trips together. A middle-aged woman sends off her panda in memory of her late grandmother. The owners enjoy the trip through instant posts on social media and make new friends. We observe how digital technology is changing people's relationships and even family traditions in Japan. Some people are not only virtually connecting with strangers but are also creating precious memories with them.