Unclaimed Bodies in Japan: A Growing Concern

A Rising Number of Unclaimed Bodies

According to population forecasts, 44.3% of Japanese households, or 23.3 million, will be single-person households by 2050. This alarming trend has led to a growing concern over the number of unclaimed bodies in Japan. In fiscal 2023, approximately 42,000 bodies went unclaimed and were subsequently cremated or buried by local authorities.

Lack of Protocols for Handling Unclaimed Bodies

The first study of its kind, commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, showed that most municipalities did not have an established protocol for dealing with unclaimed bodies. Of the roughly 1,160 municipalities surveyed by the Japan Research Institute, only 11.3% said they had a procedure, while 43.5% said they did not. Others answered that although they did not have their own rules, they referred to practices elsewhere.

Concerns Over Relatives Claiming Bodies

Municipalities have also struggled with concerns that relatives may try to claim bodies after they have been cremated. This has led to a need for a system that can handle the increasing number of unclaimed bodies.

The Growing Need for a System

The 41,969 unclaimed bodies, both identified and unidentified, made up 2.7% of all deaths in the 2023 calendar year. The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research forecasts that the number of unclaimed bodies will continue to rise in the coming years.

A Model for Handling Unclaimed Bodies

Among municipalities with a system for handling unclaimed bodies, Yokosuka, near Tokyo, launched a programme in 2015. The city assists in contracts between funeral homes and low-income elderly people with no dependants. Under the programme, the city will check on their well-being and contact necessary people and institutions in the event of their death.

Conclusion

The growing number of unclaimed bodies in Japan is a pressing concern that requires a system to handle them. Municipalities must create protocols for dealing with unclaimed bodies, including how long they should be kept before cremation. The Yokosuka programme serves as a model for handling unclaimed bodies with dignity and respect.

FAQs

Q: How many unclaimed bodies are there in Japan?
A: Approximately 42,000 bodies went unclaimed in Japan in fiscal 2023.

Q: How many municipalities have a protocol for dealing with unclaimed bodies?
A: Only 11.3% of the 1,160 municipalities surveyed by the Japan Research Institute said they had a procedure.

Q: Why are municipalities concerned about relatives claiming bodies?
A: Municipalities are concerned that relatives may try to claim bodies after they have been cremated.

Q: What is the forecast for the number of single-person households in Japan by 2050?
A: 44.3% of Japanese households, or 23.3 million, will be single-person households by 2050.