Pan Macmillan lands ‘compelling’ true life stories of Rental Person  

Pan Macmillan has landed a book about doing nothing by Shoji Morimoto, otherwise known as Rental Person.  

Assistant editor Roshani Moorjani acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, including audio, from Neil Gudovitz at Gudovitz Literary & Co, on behalf of Kawade Shobo, in a two-way auction at London Book Fair. Rental Person Who Does Nothing will be published on a date still be be announced.

In 2018, Morimoto posted a tweet reading: “Today, I’m starting a ‘rent a person who does nothing’ service.  

“Please make use of me for shops you don’t want to enter alone, adding another person to the game you are going to play, reserving a spot for cherry blossom viewing, anything for which you might need an existence of a single person. I will accept my transportation costs from Kokubunji Station and reimbursement for food and beverages (if applicable). Except for very simple conversation, I’m afraid I can do nothing.” 

Since then, he has been hired by more than 4,000 people. “Rental Person is dependable, non-judgmental and committed to remaining a stranger and the curious encounters he shares are revelatory about both Japanese society and the human psyche,” wrote Pan Macmillan.  

Rental Person has inspired an Amazon TV series and written four books, including a manga comic. He has become a celebrity in Japan and inspired copycats around the country, as well as being profiled in the Washington Post, Business Insider and the Independent. 

Gudovitz said: “Rental Person is famous in Japan but the fascinating experiences and the wisdom he shares are universal. More than ever before, people are seeking meaningful connection with other people, even if for only an afternoon, and even with a stranger. This essential, shared humanity is what this book reveals.” 

Moorjani added: “Rental Person Who Does Nothing  details the compelling true life adventures of Rental Person’s astonishing line of work. His stories are deeply poignant, incredibly entertaining and highly thought-provoking about Japanese society but also about all of us and how much easier it is to confide uncomfortable truths about ourselves to those we know least.”