Lately, I’ve been seeing more and more pairings of middle-aged men and women who look like college students in hotel lounges and cafés. Don’t you feel uncomfortable knowing that other people might think, “Those two are doing papa-katsu (compensated dating in Japan)”?}...ไม่ต้องฝาก?

Maezawa here, answering too. These days, I think a lot of people don’t really care about it. If it’s becoming more common, people may think, “Maybe it’s just dinner?” And if it’s dinner only, then isn’t that pretty normal? I get the impression that, in the end, people feel it’s up to each individual—and if no one is bothered by it, why not? There’s a phrase called “noblesse oblige.” It originated in 19th-century France, combining “noblesse” (nobility) and “obliger” (to impose an obligation). It refers to the idea that wealth, power, and social status come with responsibility—that those in a higher position have corresponding social responsibilities and duties to fulfill. And while papa-katsu (compensated dating in Japan) is limited to relationships with women, I feel it does align with this idea to some extent. There’s an aspect of wealthy people helping those in need. Thinking of it that way, it’s the duty of noble men to help women who are struggling. (笑) Noblesse oblige!