Japan’s loneliness industry gives an early warning to the world
Daily Maverick | 19.05.2026 14:00
In a city that never stops moving, people are paying someone to stay still with them, to simply hold them. Tokyo’s cuddle-for-hire services have been running since 2012 and demand keeps climbing. There is no sex involved. Just arms. Just the terrible, basic need to be touched by another human being.
