Editorial: Tokyo's soaring cremation fees underscore need for action as Japan ages
As aging of Japan's population advances, the number of people dying will continue to increase for the next decade or so. We need to think about how pe
As Japan's population ages, the number of deaths is expected to rise over the next decade, necessitating a reevaluation of mourning practices to ensure families can bid a peaceful farewell to their loved ones. In Tokyo, soaring cremation fees have become a pressing issue. A private operator managing over half of the capital's crematoriums increased the basic fee by 20% just a year ago, citing rising costs.
The fee, which was initially 75,000 yen (approximately $475), has now risen to 87,000 yen (around $550), nearly double its value 15 years ago. Tokyo's ward resident funeral system, which could lower cremation fees to 60,000 yen (about $380) or less under certain conditions, was suspended this spring. The national government mandates that crematoriums should be operated by local governments, and while most of the approximately 1,300 facilities nationwide are publicly run, Tokyo's 23 wards have primarily private operators since the Meiji era.
This creates a stark disparity in fees, with public crematoriums typically charging 20,000 yen or less. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which operates on the principle that users bear the cost, charges a basic fee of 59,600 yen (around $377) even for its single crematorium. While there are discussions about placing private crematoriums under public operation, purchasing them would be financially burdensome.
As Japan's death rate increases, there is concern that cremation capacity may not keep up with demand, particularly in urban areas. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government estimates that capacity could become tight around 2035, with some cities already experiencing waits of one to two weeks for cremation. Expanding cremation capacity would require significant investment, and many local governments are already facing financial challenges.
Without central government support, some regions may be forced to raise cremation fees. It is time to revisit the debate on the appropriate burden-sharing model and the respective roles of national and local governments in this matter.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
