This has been a thing in Japan for over a decade.[1]<p>[1] <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;time.com&#x2F;3998563&#x2F;virtual-love-japan&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;time.com&#x2F;3998563&#x2F;virtual-love-japan&#x2F;</a>