Japan's 'rent-a-family' industry, founded by Ryuichi Ichinokawa about two decades ago, offers individuals for hire to fill roles such as stand-in relatives and companions. The service, known as the Heart Project, addresses the growing issue of loneliness by providing a 'supplementary presence' for clients, with fees ranging from $63 to $190 per role. This unique business model has inspired the film Rental Family, starring Brendan Fraser, which was shot in Japan and written by Stephen Blahut, a screenwriter with deep ties to the country. Blahut's experiences living in Japan and traveling across continents have influenced his storytelling, bringing attention to the emotional complexities behind the industry.