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SoraNews24
08-07-2025
- Business
- SoraNews24
Rental grandma service growing in Japan, can help cook or break up with boyfriends
Get a grandma delivered right to your door. As we've seen time and time again, the cost of living is steadily on the rise in Japan, and while it's expected that wages will rise to keep pace, the same may not be true for the elderly living on pensions. Because their monthly allotments are just barely covering the necessities in life, many seniors are seeking work to ensure they have some savings as well. According to the Statistics Bureau of Japan, there are about 9.3 million people working over the age of 65. This amounts to about one in four seniors remaining in the workforce after retirement age. This all sounds pretty bleak, but one service is seeing this as a positive and regarding the elderly of Japan as a valuable human resource. ▼ See? This guy's totally wired and ready to rock. The service is called OK Obaachan, and for a fee of 3,300 yen to cover transportation and a 3,300 yen per hour rate, you can have your very own grandma. They currently have a roster of about 100 ladies aged 60 to 94 and with a range of abilities from housework, interpersonal skills, historical knowledge, and life experience. According to the OK Obaachan website, they have been getting a lot of requests for an incredibly wide range of uses, such as teaching how to cook, mediating family disputes, writing things with nice penmanship, and babysitting. They are often also called upon to act as pillars of emotional support and have been requested by men planning to come out as gay to their parents to be present when it happens. A report by ANN News also interviewed some satisfied clients who used rental grandmothers to be present when breaking up with boyfriends or to help with research for reports that deal with changes in Japanese society over the years. Reaction to the news was mixed in online comments, which is understandable since it's really hard to process a grandma rental service just after hearing about it. 'I think that's a good business. Sometimes it's good to get advice from people you don't know.' 'I think the effectiveness really depends on the individual though. It seems a little hit-and-miss.' 'The ones going out to breakups should get hazard pay too.' 'I think it's important to feel needed.' 'Do they hire in the countryside? I'm over 60 and am interested.' 'I would be too worried my grandma would fall down or something.' 'All of these people-rental businesses make me uneasy.' 'These days, there are a lot of healthy people in their 60s. They can still do a lot.' 'Poor grandpas… There's no rental service for them.' The reason that this is a grandma-only service is that it's run by Client Partners, a firm that sets women with different skills up with jobs, calling themselves a 'women-only handyman company.' They also offer rental friends and family members, all of whom are women as well. For those in the market for some grandpas, a few years back we trialed the Ossan Rental service, which is more loosely defined as 'middle-aged guys' and can include guys in their 30s and 40s too. However, I just popped into their website, and they have many age-appropriate granddads who appear to be among the most popular men for rent. So, whatever your people needs are, it seems there's a rental agency out there for you. Of course, you could just go out and meet people too, but time is money, so I guess it's all relative. Source: OK Oba-achan, TV Asahi, YouTube/ANNnewsCH, Ossan Rental Top image: Pakutaso Insert image: Pakutaso ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Japan Organic Dairy Market Competition & Forecasts to 2030, with Profiles of Meiji, KANEKA, Arla Foods Ingredients, Saputo, Fonterra Co-Operative, Amiksa, Abel & Cole, Cedar Grove Cheese & more
The Japanese Organic Dairy Market is poised for growth due to rising health consciousness and preference for organic products. Disposable incomes, urbanization, and sustainability trends further drive demand. Challenges include high costs, but functional dairy gains popularity, signaling market potential. Japanese Organic Dairy Market Dublin, June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Japan Organic Dairy Market, By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2020-2030F" has been added to Japanese Organic Dairy Market was valued at USD 1.67 Billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 2.45 Billion by 2030, rising at a CAGR of 6.60%. This growth is largely attributed to rising health awareness among Japanese consumers who increasingly prefer organic and natural food products, including dairy, as a way to avoid synthetic additives and hormones. Higher disposable incomes and urbanization have improved access to premium organic dairy items, while sustainability-driven consumer behavior further supports market expansion. The emphasis on environmentally friendly farming practices and stricter food safety regulations enhances consumer trust in organic labeling. Additionally, the widespread availability of organic dairy across modern retail and online platforms boosts accessibility, appealing to consumers across various age groups. These combined factors are steadily propelling the growth of organic dairy consumption throughout Japan. Key Market Drivers: Rising Health-Conscious Population Across the Region A growing health-conscious population in Japan is a major contributor to the expansion of the organic dairy market. As more consumers recognize the long-term health benefits of avoiding synthetic additives, hormones, and antibiotics, the demand for organic dairy products continues to rise. These products are widely perceived as cleaner, safer, and more nutritious, aligning with a lifestyle focused on wellness and preventive healthcare. Educational outreach and media coverage have further raised public awareness about the adverse effects of conventional dairy production. Younger consumers and urban residents, in particular, are shifting toward organic food choices. According to the Statistics Bureau of Japan, there are approximately 18.47 million individuals under the age of 15, accounting for about 14.6% of the population-a segment highly influential in shaping future consumer behavior. As wellness trends gain traction, organic dairy is becoming a staple for health-focused diets, accelerating market growth. Key Market Challenges: High Product Cost High product pricing remains a major hurdle for the Japan organic dairy market, restricting its appeal among price-sensitive consumers. The elevated cost is largely due to the more expensive inputs required for organic farming, such as premium feed and extended production cycles. Additionally, compliance with stringent organic standards increases operational expenses, which are passed on to end consumers in the form of higher retail prices. Limited production volumes and scale inefficiencies further contribute to the cost burden. These dynamics can deter budget-conscious shoppers despite a growing interest in organic options. Without broader affordability, the market risks slow penetration outside premium consumer segments. To address this challenge, manufacturers and retailers must focus on improving operational efficiencies, raising awareness about the health and environmental benefits of organic dairy, and potentially leveraging government support or subsidies to narrow the price gap with conventional dairy products. Key Market Trends: Rising Popularity of Functional Dairy Products A key trend shaping the Japan organic dairy market is the increasing consumer interest in functional dairy products that offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Products formulated to support digestion, immunity, and metabolic health are gaining traction. This demand is particularly evident among aging demographics and health-aware consumers seeking dietary solutions that complement preventive healthcare. Items such as probiotic yogurts, fortified milks, and fermented drinks are seeing rising popularity. For example, Morinaga Milk Industry launched the Puresu fermented beverage in April 2024 under Japan's Food with Function Claims (FFC) system, promoting benefits like reduced fatigue and belly fat. Similarly, Meiji introduced the Eye and Sleep W Support drink containing crocetin to aid sleep and eye health. These developments illustrate a growing market segment focused on functional, organic dairy products aligned with consumer health goals and wellness trends. Key Market Players: Meiji Holdings KANEKA Arla Foods Ingredients Group Saputo Inc. Fonterra Co-Operative Group Amiksa Abel & Cole Limited Cedar Grove Cheese Horizon Organic Dairy Rumiano Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 82 Forecast Period 2024 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $1.67 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $2.45 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 6.6% Regions Covered Japan Report Scope: In this report, the Japan Organic Dairy Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below: Japan Organic Dairy Market, By Product Type: Butter Cheese Milk Yogurt Others Japan Organic Dairy Market, By Packaging Type: Pouches Tetra-Packs Bottles Cans Others Japan Organic Dairy Market, By End User: Residential Commercial Japan Organic Dairy Market, By Sales Channel: Supermarkets/Hypermarkets Convenience Stores Online Others Japan Organic Dairy Market, By Region: Hokkaido & Tohoku Chubu Chugoku Kyushu Rest of Japan For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Japanese Organic Dairy Market CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900Sign in to access your portfolio