People are proud and they don't want to tell their partner that they do not have many friends.

Proud or insecure?

And wouldn't their partner kind of already know they don't have many friends before the wedding anyway?

What's next? Rent-a-groom/bride?

Renting wedding guests....sheesh.

The day that people (and I don't just mean Japanese people) understand that the number of people you know has nothing to do with friendship, will be a happy one. Ever since cellphones, and now FaceBook, people have being going around saying "I have 217 friends now!" Now wonder there's this pressure to have them show up at your special day! But why would you want to share that day with near-strangers, whether you rent them or not? Let me share for a minute here... For my 40th birthday recently, I preferred to have a very small group of good friends with me to celebrate, than have a large sprawling nomihodai with over 20 acquaintances telling me It's all downhill from now on hic I was told by one 'friend' that I was "friendless". Ahole. Not inviting him out again!

wouldn't their partner kind of already know they don't have many friends before the wedding anyway?

No. Welcome to Japan. People have 1 or 2 friends. That's it. They don't believe the western people have true friends because they have so many. Their 1 or 2 friends they may only see once every 1 or 2 months. This is quite common and quite normal.

People here are starting to try to be western. Obviously the coloring of the hair has been around a long time but now they want to 'appear' to have many friends without having to actually talk to anyone.

People are proud and they don't want to tell their partner that they do not have many friends

More likely they don't want to tell their partner's family. There's quite a bit of pressure to even up numbers from both sides. I thought things were changing, though.

This is just sad.

Fake priest, fake wedding cake, fake friends.

Do they think they'd pay extra to be friends with a dashing foreigner who works at Goldman Sachs?

I think I could pull it off.

proud losers...good combination

So I'm guessing if the bride rents friends, what if the groom rents friends from the same company? Wouldn't that be funny! If people are that superficial to show others that they are well liked, I can imagine that the marriage will probably not last very long.

The good side to this is that they have realized that you need to open up and make an effort to make friends. There is nothing wrong in inviting people to your home for a tea or meal. You don`t have to feel ashamed that your house is small and you dont have the latest gadget that was advertised on tv yesterday. You need friends not only to attend your weddings but also to share good and bad things.

No. Welcome to Japan. People have 1 or 2 friends. That's it.

quite true. too much obligation and formality getting in the way of people actually forming relationships with each other. after my time in this country i have come to believe that japanese social dynamics are based on the assumption that people can't get along, thus it is best to build as many obstacles to real human interaction as possible

Super nerds renting other nerds to blend in with them. Maybe this is a way of stimulating more nerd weddings.

With 10 brothers and sisters, their spouses and children, one can fill a reception hall quickly. But I really only have 1-2 good friends from high school time. I have seen life evolve and people just get fewer friends. Time constraints, keeping up with the Jones etc. People usually have friends at workplaces and clubs. The people of Japan just mind their own business leaving others in peace. I do the same but with an exchange of smiles now and then. That's all I need. Think Buddha or Seijin of sorts.

quite true. too much obligation and formality getting in the way of people actually forming relationships with each other. after my time in this country i have come to believe that japanese social dynamics are based on the assumption that people can't get along, thus it is best to build as many obstacles to real human interaction as possible

I think its curious that 2 people would get married without knowing something / everything there is to know of the SO's friends. I may be just thinking too much, but it seems like a complete failure to communicate before leaping. Besides i wonder what would happen AFTER the ceremony? "p1: When can we meet you friends again?...lets go out somewhere! p2: um err..."

I guess I'm looking at this from the other end. I read that quote and thought to myself, "that's a really sh*tty part-time job."

Taka