Tackle Rise in Abandoned Dead with National Guidelines

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The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare estimates that in FY2023 no one stepped forward to claim the remains of more than 40,000 individuals who died in Japan. Local governments, instead, had to cremate or bury the remains of these abandoned dead.

What happens when someone dies at home or in a hospital and there are no relatives to claim the body? In Japan, local governments are required by law to store the body before cremating or burying it. However, various problems with the current system have come to light. 

Problems of Responsibility

There have also been reported cases of trouble arising in uncommon circumstances. For example, when a body was left in a funeral home's refrigerated facility for more than three years because of delays in contacting relatives, or when relatives were identified only after the burial.

Moreover, the extent of mandatory searches for relatives varies from one local government to the next. So does the method and period for storing corpses and cremated remains. But should these challenges be left up to local governments to manage as best they can? It would be far easier for all if the national government would provide guidelines instead. 

If local governments were to create manuals based on these guidelines, the burden on those who have to deal directly with these issues would surely be reduced. It is also important to exchange opinions with medical and nursing care professionals, as well as funeral directors. Ultimately, those professionals need to work together to address the issues.

2.7% of Total Deaths

In 2024, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare conducted its first survey regarding the handling of unclaimed bodies and cremated remains. It reached out to around 1,700 local governments across the country, of which approximately 1,160 responded. 

After analyzing reports based on those responses, it was estimated that approximately 42,000 bodies were cremated or buried by local governments in 2023. This represents 2.7% of total deaths recorded that year.

Several reasons seem to be behind this situation. For example, there has been an increase in elderly people living alone. There is also a rise in the number of unmarried people, and weakening ties among relatives. Moreover, the number of elderly people without relatives will undoubtedly continue to increase in the future.

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Coordinated and Consistent Outreach

The survey found that only 11% of local governments had a response manual. If local governments compiled and disseminated such manuals, that would likely encourage elderly people living alone to consult with their local governments and register their emergency contact information.

When the connections between people are tenuous, it becomes difficult to care for someone at the end of their life and to sort out their affairs after they die. Local governments need to take the lead in encouraging cooperation between affected institutions. That means involving local social welfare councils, nursing care facilities, NPOs and volunteer organizations to create a more detailed monitoring network.

Coordinated action by apartment complex residents' associations could also prove effective. Furthermore, there is an urgent need to rebuild regional ties that have become frayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

There is much the national and local governments can do. Ultimately, they need to create an environment in which everyone can reach the end of their days on earth with dignity and peace of mind.

It is also essential to encourage older people living alone to reconnect with their relatives.

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Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

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