About ten years ago, I read an article in either the Los Angeles Times
or the New York Times about an occupational group in Japan:  It was
composed of men who were contracted to do people's dirty work .
People would call these men and for an arranged price they would do
things that people didn't want to do such as calling a girlfriend/
boyfriend up and breaking off relations for the person--whatever
unpleasant task that needed to be done.  These men were viewed with
some disdain by many Japanese but it is a fairly lucrative job.  There
was a Japanese word for it but I don't remember it.  If anyone out
there knows the name for this group of men or knows of any articles
about them, please let me know.  Thanks.