Investigators conduct an on-site inspection near a private-room sauna in Akasaka, Tokyo, where a fire claimed the lives of two people, a man and a woman, on the afternoon of December 17 (©Sankei by Naoki Aikawa)
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In broad daylight on December 15, a fire broke out at a private sauna in Tokyo's Akasaka district, killing two patrons.
The fire started in a private room on the third floor of the five-story sauna building. A couple in their 30s who had been using the facility were found collapsed on top of each other near the entrance to the sauna room.
It appears the couple was unable to exit the room.
There were indications that the emergency button inside the sauna room had been pressed. However, the store owner reportedly told police during questioning that "the power [for the emergency button] had never been turned on."
Police are investigating the cause of the fire, the victims' deaths, and the circumstances surrounding the incident, and are considering whether to pursue charges of professional negligence resulting in death against the business.
As Saunas Boom, Safety Lags
Lately, saunas have evolved into sophisticated, high-value-added facilities, emerging as an urban trend comparable to cafes and gyms. Promoted as a place where people can "help the body recover in a short period," they are attracting an estimated 16.5 million users annually nationwide, according to the Japan Sauna Institute.
Their popularity has grown especially among younger people and women. The number of sauna establishments in Japan is estimated at around 2,000, based on a summary by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
Meanwhile, scrutiny is mounting over whether the industry, government agencies, and local authorities are keeping pace with the rapid expansion of the market and adequately enforcing safety standards.
In the latest case, the use of a doorknob-operated door has drawn widespread criticism. Comments such as "doorknobs are absurd in saunas" and "push-to-open doors are the norm" have raised questions about the establishment's safety practices and oversight.
Safety Reforms Needed
While modern saunas are often marketed as high-quality relaxation facilities, they remain hazardous enclosed spaces that involve high temperatures and open flames, placing a heavy burden of responsibility on operators.
Private saunas, in particular, are more difficult to monitor than communal facilities and therefore pose heightened safety risks.
Ensuring the prompt detection of accidents will require the industry to work urgently with fire departments and local governments to establish and enforce effective countermeasures.
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Author: The Sankei Shimbun
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