Wakaresaseya
Japanese businesses that break up relationships
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
How they work
For a fee, a customer names a target and, an undercover employee of the company then attempts to initiate an affair with or produce other incriminating evidence on the target.[1] Though most often used to gather evidence of infidelity for use in a divorce case, it may also be used for purposes ranging from bringing shame to someone, securing the resignation of an employee, luring away the lover of one's spouse,[1] or breaking up some other relationship.[3]
The cost of retaining such an agency was given as ranging from 500,000 to 1.6 million yen, not including a success bonus of 250,000–800,000 yen.[4]
Owners and employees of these businesses have found that men often make easier targets.[1][3]
History
The activities of these agencies were first widely reported in about 2000, and in 2001 the TV network NTV aired a drama series Wakaresase-ya.[5] In 2005 there were around twelve such companies in Japan, but the field has grown since with companies offering services through the internet.[3] In 2010 an internet search located some 270 wakaresaseya agencies.[4]
The industry was especially reported on by Japanese and foreign media in 2010 when a former operative of a wakaresaseya agency was sentenced for murder.[6] He had fallen in love with a female target the company had assigned to him. After the true nature of the relationship came to light, she wanted to leave him and he killed her.[6][3][4]