{
  "id": 7296778,
  "title": "Pay to ghost your boss: Japan's resignation business",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/pay-to-ghost-your-boss-japans-resignation-business",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T10:36:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DW English (Top Stories)",
    "slug": "dw-english-top-stories",
    "url": "https://www.dw.com/en/pay-to-ghost-your-boss-japan-s-resignation-business/a-79213584?maca=en-rss-en-top-1022-xml-mrss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A growing trend in Japan sees workers seeking to resign from their jobs without direct confrontation with their employers. This method, known as bakkure, mirrors the practice of \"ghosting\" in modern dating. Rather than facing potential conflict, many young professionals opt for a professional resignation agency to handle the process. These agencies, like Albatross, charge around €120 ($138.5) per client and complete the entire process within 15 minutes. The most common reasons for using these services include physical violence, sexual harassment, and unwelcome working conditions. Despite traditional corporate culture emphasizing loyalty, a survey by Shikigaku Consulting found that almost one-third of Japanese workers aged 20 to 49 have experienced some form of harassment at work. Professors Hiroki Nakamori and Hiroshi Ono explain that Japan's non-confrontational culture discourages direct conflict, even in resignations. Consequently, some employees feel compelled to \"disappear\" from their jobs to maintain harmony. Even the act of ghosting can be performed politely, with the agency delivering farewell messages on behalf of the employee.",
  "summary": "Resignation agencies in Japan help employees seamlessly erase themselves from a job in just 15 minutes, and young people are especially eager to use their services.",
  "key_points": [
    "\"Bakkure\" trend in Japan allows workers to resign without confrontation.",
    "Professional resignation agencies like Albatross handle the process for €120.",
    "Survey reveals 30% of Japanese workers aged 20-49 experienced harassment."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "DW News",
        "title": "Pay to ghost your boss: Japan's resignation business",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/pay-to-ghost-your-boss-japans-resignation-business-7296859",
        "published": "2026-09-14T10:36:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}