The increase in public spending on "death without relatives" has become a hotbed of unclaimed businesses. In 2018, 33,000 people died without any relatives to claim their bodies, an increase of 9,000 from 2013, and local governments across the country are struggling to cope with the rising costs of cremation and burial. In response, some local governments have introduced a system where they pay for cremation and burial and then try to recover the costs from the deceased's estate. However, there are many cases where it is difficult to recover the costs, and the financial burden on local governments is expected to continue to increase. This situation has created a lucrative business for some companies that specialize in handling unclaimed bodies. These companies, often referred to as "unclaimed business operators," offer services such as cremation and burial for a fee, and some have even been known to solicit business from funeral homes and local governments. The spread of unclaimed businesses has raised concerns about the commercialization of death. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has announced plans to review the system and consider measures to prevent the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. The ministry will also work to ensure that local governments are aware of the issue and are taking steps to address the problem. In addition, the ministry will consider introducing regulations to oversee the unclaimed business industry. The issue of unclaimed bodies is a complex one, and it will require a comprehensive approach to address the various concerns and challenges involved. The government, local governments, and the private sector will need to work together to find a solution that balances the needs of all parties involved.
We haven't written up this one. The Asahi Shimbun has the full story — the link below goes straight to it.
