# Ukrainian influencer finds real connection with Japan’s rent-a-dad 2026-08-09T10:42:46+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet A 23-year-old Ukrainian model and influencer, Anna Malygon, rented a father figure while travelling alone in Japan and found the goodbye unexpectedly emotional. Her video documenting the experience has received over 5.3 million views on Instagram. The 'rent-a-dad' service, part of Japan's regulated rental companion industry, hired an actor who treated her like a real daughter, ordering her ice cream, giving her a steam iron, and offering his jacket. Malygon, who grew up without a father, said she felt like a daughter for the first time and that saying goodbye was harder than expected. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Tags: emotional connection, family services, Japan, rent-a-dad, Ukraine influencer, viral video Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/ukrainian-influencer-finds-real-connection-with-japans-rent-a-dad/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/ukrainian-influencer-finds-real-connection-with-japans-rent-a-dad/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.