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By Mihar Dias February 2025
If you ever thought Malaysia had seen it all—corrupt politicians, billion-ringgit scandals, and ministers who make more U-turns than a Myvi in rush hour—brace yourselves.
We may soon welcome our most unexpected new resident: Ryuta Watanabe, Japan’s self-proclaimed gigolo extraordinaire, who dreams of fathering more children than a Tokugawa shogun and now has his eyes set on Malaysia. https://newswav.com/A2502_VzhEV2?s=A_14dzy2B&language=en
For those unfamiliar with Watanabe’s dazzling résumé, here’s a quick rundown: he’s a 36-year-old social media influencer, former full-time himo otoko (a Japanese term for a man financially dependent on women), and polygamist—at least in spirit, since Japan doesn’t legally recognize his multiple "wives."
Despite once relying on his partners for financial support, he now earns over RM35,000 a month documenting his unconventional family life on social media, which includes three wives (with a fourth in rotation), numerous children, and enough pets to start a mini zoo. https://newswav.com/A2502_VzhEV2?s=A_14dzy2B&language=en
But now, he’s considering Malaysia as his next playground. Batu Caves, it seems, wasn’t just a tourist attraction for him—it was a scouting trip. Perhaps he saw our blend of cultural diversity, warm weather, and inexplicable fascination with influencers and thought, Yes, this is where I can take my empire to the next level!
Malaysia: A Land of Opportunity… Even for Serial Polygamists?
Malaysia has always been a land of reinvention. We’ve seen politicians resurrect their careers more times than a horror movie villain, and tycoons who lose everything only to bounce back with new government contracts. Why not throw in an internet gigolo with dreams of global expansion?
One can only imagine the possibilities. Will he introduce a new abang poligami influencer trend in Malaysia? Will he team up with local polygamy advocates for a TikTok collaboration? Will he start offering “How to Date 16 Women at Once” workshops?
More importantly, will he fit into Malaysia’s social landscape? On one hand, polygamy is legally recognized for Muslim men, so Watanabe might see a loophole. On the other, Malaysia has enough moral guardians to make even the most daring influencer think twice. If we can get offended by Starbucks cups and KK Mart socks, imagine the outrage when a Japanese himo otoko lands in KL with his entourage of wives and children.
Watanabe’s Business Plan: Can Malaysia Handle It?
Now that Watanabe has transitioned from freeloading off his wives to becoming a self-made influencer, he’s thinking about expanding his business. He plans to sell clothes and hair care products. Given Malaysia’s obsession with hair loss treatments and pomades, he might actually have a market here.
And let’s not forget his long-term dream—fathering 54 children. https://newswav.com/A2502_VzhEV2?s=A_14dzy2B&language=en
This would put him ahead of Tokugawa Ienari, the Edo-era shogun who had 53 kids. https://www.lesleydowner.com/the-tokugawa-shoguns/#:~:text=Ienari%20(1773%2D1841)%2C,enjoyed%20lives%20of%20enormous%20luxury.
But in modern Malaysia, where raising even one child is an Olympic-level financial challenge, how does he plan to afford 54? Will he start a crowdfunding campaign? “Donate RM10 and help me reach my 54-baby goal!”
One thing is for sure—his arrival in Malaysia would make great reality TV. Imagine Keeping Up with the Watanabes, where he navigates life between Hokkaido and Kuala Lumpur, trying to balance multiple wives, children, business ventures, and visa regulations.
Malaysia: Open for Business, But for Watanabe?
Watanabe’s planned migration raises an interesting question: Is Malaysia truly a land of second chances and reinvention, or do we have limits? If he can get past immigration (and moral outrage), he may find that Malaysia is exactly the kind of place where a gigolo-turned-influencer can thrive.
Then again, given our love for social media controversies, he may also find himself at the center of Malaysia’s next big online debate. Either way, Watanabe’s arrival would prove one thing: when it comes to what on earth is happening in Malaysia, truth is always stranger than fiction.
Mihar Dias is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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