OK, so we all know the world is in a bit of a pickle right now. There is a global food shortage on the go, Britain has been struggling for water recently and there is a population crisis. However, this might just be the straw that breaks the camel's back. We've had it, folks.
Japan is suffering from a chronic shortage of ninjas.
You heard. Japan - the spiritual and historical home of the mighty ninja - is running short on supply. If that's not the most bizarre thing you've heard all day, you're having an interesting day.
Specifically, the town of Iga, in Mie Prefecture, is having a ninja crisis. What makes this even more strange is that they're offering a pretty hefty salary for anyone who wants to become one, too.
They're offering the thick end of £65,000 ($85,300) to anyone who wishes to don the famous black pyjamas, in fact. That's a decent wedge, and you presumably get some badass throwing stars and nunchucks into the bargain.
You see, the small city of Iga plays host to about 30,000 people that visit every year to see the ninja perform, but the city is also suffering as a result of young people leaving the area instead of sticking around and becoming ninja.
Last year, only 43 new young people moved into the city, whereas around 1,000 of them left. Those numbers don't look to good, you'd have to concede.
The mayor of the town, Sakae Okamoto, wants to bring people to the town - that claims to be the birthplace of the ninja - but can't get enough people to fill the available ninja roles.
Okamoto told NPR's Planet Money podcast: "Right now in Iga, we are working very hard to promote ninja tourism and get the most economic outcome,
"For example, we hold this ninja festival between late April to around the beginning of May. During this period visitors and also local people come here. Everybody will be dressed like a ninja and walks around and enjoys themselves - but recently I feel that it's not enough."
Sally Herships, the host of the podcast, was certainly convinced. She said: "But this job does have a lot to offer. First of all, the pay is quite competitive. Today, ninja can earn anything from $23,000 (£17,500) to about $85,000 (£64,700) - which is a really solid salary, and in fact, a lot more than real ninja used to earn in medieval Japan,"
Obviously, it's not for everyone, but if you can do a backflip and wield a katana, and if you're always sneaking up on your mates in dark streets, you've surely got a chance.
Featured Image Credit: YouTubeTopics: World News, Ninja, News, Japan