Tokyo to build new crematoriums to meet surging demand
Death is a growth industry that no one’s happy about. There has been a lot of talk about the aging population in Japan and how it’s affecting society and the economy. But a more immediate concern is how to handle the influx of people currently dying across the country. According to estimates, the number of […]
Tokyo is set to construct new crematoriums due to a surge in demand related to the country's aging population. Japan's death toll is expected to peak at 1.65 million annually by 2040, surpassing the current average of over 1.5 million. The primary approach for managing deceased individuals in Japan is cremation, which poses challenges for cities as crematoriums are limited in number.
This has led to extended wait times and increased costs in certain regions, including Chiba Prefecture. In Tokyo, the government has decided to address the issue by drafting a proposal for the establishment of multiple small-scale crematoriums across its 23 wards. These facilities will be strategically located where they are most needed and zoning laws may be relaxed to facilitate their construction.
Additionally, Japan has seen the rise of "itai hotels," which offer refrigerated storage for bodies while allowing family members to pay their respects in a more intimate setting. The primary challenge lies in the fact that Japan's population is expected to shrink, making it less necessary to invest in large-scale infrastructure.
However, the temporary nature of the problem means that newly built crematoriums can be easily decommissioned if no longer required. This issue is not unique to Japan, as many countries will face similar challenges in the coming years, and other nations can learn from Japan's experiences.
Written by urgent.news from SoraNews24's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
